V 


L 


^^ 


^^^ 


,     TUPPER'S 


PEOYERBIAL  PHILOSOPHI 

A   BOOK   OF 

THOUGHTS  AND  ARGUMENTS, 

ORIGINALLY  TREATED. 

ALSO, 

A  THOUSAND  LINES,  AND  OTHER  POEMS, 

BY 

MARTIN  FAEQUHAR  TUPPER,  A.M.,F.R.S., 

OF    CnRISTCIITJRCII,   OXFORD, 
ATTDCR    OF   "THE   CROCK   OF   GOLD,"    ETC. 

Sfivst  anU  Scconti  Scvfea. 

LATEST      AMERICAN      EDITION. 


AUBURN : 
ALDEN    &    MARKHAM,   PUBLISHERiS. 

No.  07  OENESEK-STREET, 
1848. 


^{V 


CONTENTS, 


FIRST   SERIES 


Prefatory, 

The  Words  of  Wisdom, 

Of  Trath  in  Things  False, 

Of  Anticipation, 

Of  Hidden  Uses, 

Of  Compensation, 

Of  Indirect  Influences,     . 

Of  Memoiy, 

The  Dream  of  Ambition, 

Of  Subjection, 

Of  Rest, 

Of  Humility, 

Of  Pride, 

Of  Experience, 

Of  Estimating  Character, 

Of  Hatred  and  Anger, 

Of  Good  in  Tilings  Eril. 

Of  Prayer,      . 

The  Lord's  Prayer, 

Of  Discretion, 

Of  Trifles, 

Of  Recreation, 

The  Train  of  Religion, 

Of  a  Trinity, 

Of  Thinking,      . 


PAOE 

9 

II 

12 
15 
16 
19 
23 
26 
29 
30 
37 
39 
42 
43 
45 
51 
52 
56 
59 
GO 
62 
64 
67 
68 
71 


CONTENTS. 


Of  Speaking, 

Of  Reading, 

Of  Writing,  . 

Of  Wealth, 

Of  Invention, 

Of  Ridicule, 

Of  Commendation,    . 

Of  Self- Acquaintance, 

Of  CiTielty  to  Animals, 

Of  Friendship,     . 

Of  Love, 

Of  Marriage, 

Of  Education, 

Of  Tolerance,     , 

Of  Sorrow,    . 

Of  Joy, 

Notes, 


Introductoiy,  . 

Of  Cheerfiilness, 
Of  Yesterday, 
OfTo-Day,         .  .    ■ 

Of  To-Morrow,         .        ^ 
Of  Authorship,    .  .  ^ 

Of  Mystery,  ,  .         f 

Of  Gifts,  .  .   ^ 

Of  Beauty,    .  .       f 

Of  Fame,  .  .   '- 

Of  Flattery,  .  •        F 

Of  Neglect.  .  ,  :g 

Of  Contentment,       .      ^ 


SECOND   SERIES 


CONTENTS. 


Of  Life,  . 
Of  Death,       . 
Of  Immortality,  . 
Of  Ideas,       . 
Of  Names, 
Of  Things,    . 
Of  Faith, 
Of  Honesty,  . 
Of  Society, 
Of  Solitude,  . 
The  End, 
Notes, 


FAOK 

.  188 

I 

193 

^      • 

.  198 

. 

212 

.  215 

. 

218 

.  221 

• 

226 

.  231 

• 

237 

.  239 
245 

A  THOUSAND  LINES 


Prologue, 

Sloth, 

Activity, 

Adventure,   . 

The  Song  of  Sixteen, 

Forty, 

The  Song  of  Seventy,    . 

Nature's  Nobleman,  . 

Never  Give  Up, 

The  Sun,      . 

The  Moon, 

The  Stars  (I.), 

The  Stars  (II.), 

Forgive  and  Forget,  . 

My  IVIind  to  Me  a  Kingdom  la. 

Tarring  Church, 


253 
254 
255 
256 
257 
258 
259 
261 
262 

ib. 
263 

ib. 
264 

ib. 
266 
275 


CONTENTS. 


Sonnet,  on  a  Birth,    . 
Duty,      . 

Counsel,        .  .     . 

Home,    . 

Byegones,      .  . 

Rule  Britannia,  ,  , 

The  Emigrant  Ship, 
The  Assurance  of  Horace, 
The  Assurance  of  Ovid, 
Post-Letters, 
Society,  .  , 

On  an  Infant, 
Epilogue, 


PAOB 

275 

276 
276 

277 
277 
278 
280 
281 
282 
282 
284 
285 
286 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

FIRST  SERIES. 


PJiOVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 


PREFATORY. 

Thotj'GHTS;  that  liave  tarried  in  my  mind,  and  peopled  its  inner  chambers, 
The  sober  children  of  reason,  or  desultory  train  of  fancy  ; 
Clear  running  wine  of  conviction,  with  the  scum  and  the  lees  of  specu- 
lation ; 
Corn  from  the  sheaves  of  Science,  with  stubble  from  mine  own  garner ; 
iSearcliings  after  Trutli,  that  have  traclved  lier  secret  lodes, 
And  come  up  again  to  the  surface-world  with  a  kuovvledgc  grounded 

deeper ; 
Arguments  of  high  scope,  that  have  soared  to  the  keystone  of  heaven, 
And  thence  have  swooped  to  their  certain  mark,  as  the  falcon  to  its  quarry ; 
The  fruits  I  have  gathered  of  prudence,  the  ripened  harvest  of  my  musings, 
These  commend  I  unto  thee,  O  docile  scholar  of  Wisdom, 
These  I  give  to  thy  gentle  heart,  thou  lover  of  the  right. 

What  though  a  guilty  man  renew  that  hallowed  theme. 
And  strike  with  feebler  hand  the  harp  of  Sirach's  son  ? 
What,  though  a  youthful  tongue  take  up  that  ancient  parable. 
And  utter  faintly  forth  dark  sayings  as  of  old  ? 

Sweet  is  the  virgin  honey,  though  the  wild  bee  have  stored  it  in  a  reed ; 
And  bright  the  jewelled  band,  that  circleth  an  Etiiiop's  arm ; 
Pure  are  the  grains  of  gold  in  the  turbid  stream  of  Ganges, 
And  fair  the  living  flowers,  that  spring  from  the  dull  cold  sod. 
Wherefore,  thou  gentle  student,  bend  tliine  ear  to  my  speech, 
For  I  also  am  as  thou  art ;  our  hearts  can  commune  together ; 
To  meanest  matters  will  I  stoop,  for  mean  is  the  lot  of  mortal ; 
I  will  rise  to  noblest  themes,  for  the  soul  hath  an  heritiige  of  glory : 

1* 


10  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

The  passions  of  puny  man ;  the  majestic  characters  of  God ; 

The  feverisli  shadows  of  time,  and  the  miglity  substance  of  eternity. 

Commend  thy  mind  unto  candour,  and  grudge  not  as  though  thou  hadst  a 

teacher, 
Nor  scorn  angelic  Truth  for  tiic  sake  of  lier  evil  herald ; 
Heed  not  him,  but  hear  his  words,  and  care  not  whence  they  come ; 
The  viewless  winds  might  whisper  them,  the  billows  roar  them  forth, 
The  mean  unconscious  sedge  sigh  them  in  the  ear  of  evening, 
Or  the  mind  of  pride  conceive,  and  the  mouth  of  folly  speak  them. 
Lo  now,  I  stand  not  forth  laying  hold  on  spear  and  buckler, 
I  come  a  man  of  peace,  to  comfort,  not  to  combat ; 
With  soft  persuasive  speech  to  charm  thy  patient  ear, 
Giving  the  hand  of  fellowship,  acknov/ledging  the  heart  of  sympathy  : 
Let  us  walk  togetlier  as  friends  in  the  shaded  paths  of  meditation, 
Nor  judgment  set  his  seal  until  he  hath  poised  his  balance ; 
That  tlie  chastenings  of  mild  reproof  may  meet  unwitting  error, 
And  charity  not  be  a  stranger  at  the  board  that  is  spread  for  brothers. 


THE    WORDS   OF    WISDOM. 

Few  and  precious  are  the  words  which  the  lips  of  Wisdom  utter : 

To  wliat  shall  their  rarity  be  hkened  ?  What  price  shall  count  their  worth? 

Perfect  and  mucli  to  be  desired,  and  giving  joy  with  riches, 

No  lovely  thing  on  earth  can  picture  tdl  their  beauty. 

They  be  chance  pearls,  flung  among  the  rocks  by  the  sullen  waters  of 

Oblivion. 
Which  Diligence  loveth  to  gather,  and  hang  round  the  neck  of  Memory ; 
They  be  white-winged  seeds  of  happiness,  wafted  from  tlie  islands  of  the 

blessed. 
Which  Thought  carefully  tendetii,  in  the  kindly  garden  of  the  heart ; 
They  be  sproutings  of  an  harvest  for  eternity,  bursting  through  the  tilth  of 

time, 
Green  promise  of  the  golden  wheat,  that  yieldeth  angels'  food ; 
They  be  drops  of  the  crj'stal  dew,  which  the  wings  of  seraphs  scatter, 
When  on  some  brighter  Sabbath,  their  plumes  cpaiver  most  with  delight ; 
Such,  and  so  precious,  are  the  words  which  tlie  lips  of  Wisdom  utter. 

Yet  more,  for  the  half  is  not  said,  of  their  might,  and  dignity,  and  value ; 
For  live-giving  be  they  and  glorious,  redolent  of  sanctity  and  heaven : 
As  the  fumes  of  hallowed  incense,  that  veil  tlje  throne  of  the  Most  High ; 
As  the  beaded  bubbles  tiiat  sparkle  on  the  rim  of  the  cup  of  Immortality ; 
As  wreaths  of  the  rainbow  spray,  from  the  pure  cataracts  of  Truth. 
Such,  and  so  precious,  are  the  words  which  the  lips  of  Wisdom  utter. 

Yet  once  again,  loving  student,  suffer  the  praises  of  thy  teacher. 
For  verily  the  sun  of  the  mind,  and  the  hfe  of  the  heart,  is  Wisdom: 
She  is  pure  and  full  of  light,  crowning  gray  hairs  with  lustre, 
And  kindling  the  eye  of  youth  with  a  fire  not  its  own ; 
And  her  words,  whereunto  canst  thou  liken  them  ?  for  earth  cannot  show 
their  peers : 


13  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

They  be  grains  of  the  diamond  sand,  the  radiant  floor  of  heaven, 

Rising  in  sunny  dust  behind  the  cliariot  of  God  ;    , 

They  be  flashes  of  the  day-spring  from  on  high,  shed  from  the  windows 

of  the  skies ; 
They  be  streams  of  Hving  waters,  fresh  from  the  foimtjun  of  InteUigence ; 
Such  and  so  precious,  are  the  words  which  the  hps  of  Wisdom  utter. 

For  these  shall  guide  thee  well,  and  guard  thee  on  thy  way  ; 

And  wanting  all  beside,  with  these  shalt  thou  be  rich  : 

Though  all  around  be  woe,  these  shall  make  thee  happy ; 

Though  all  within  be  pain,  these  shall  bring  thee  health  ; 

Thy  good  shall  grow  into  ripeness,  thine  e\dl  wither  and  decay, 

And  Wisdom's  words  shall  sweetly  charm  thy  doubtful  into  virtues : 

Meanness  shall  then  be  frugal  care  ;  where  shame  was,  thou  art  modest ; 

Cowardice  riseth  into  caution,  rashness  is  sobered  into  courage ; 

The  WTathful  spirit,  rendering  a  reason,  standeth  justified  in  anger 

The  idle  hand  halh  fair  excuse,  propping  the  tlioughtful  foreliead. 

Life  shall  have  no  labyrinth  but  ihy  steps  can  track  it, 

For  thou  hast  a  silken  clue,  to  lead  thee  throiigli  the  darkness : 

The  rampant  Minotaur  of  ignorance  sliall  peri^li  at  thy  coming. 

And  thine  enfrancliiscd  fellows  hail  thy  white  victorious  sails.  (') 

Wherefore,  friend  and  scholar,  liear  the  words  of  Wisdom ; 

Whether  she  speaketli  to  thy  soul  in  the  full  chords  of  revelation  ; 

In  the  teaching  earth,  or  air,  or  sea  ;  in  the  still  melodies  of  thought, 

Or,  haply,  in  the  humbler  strains  that  wowld  detain  thee  here. 


OF  TRUTH  IN  THINGS  FALSE. 

Error  is  a  hardy  plant ;  it  flourisheth  in  every  soil ; 
In  the  heart  of  the  wise  and  good,  alike  with  the  wicked  and  foolish ; 
For  there  is  no  error  so  crooked,  but  it  hath  in  it  some  lines  of  trutli ; 
Nor  is  any  poison  so  deadly,  that  it  serveth  not  some  -wholesome  use  : 
And  the  just  man,  enamoured  of  the  right,  is  blinded  by  the  speciousness 

of  \vrong. 
And  the  prudent,  perceiving  an  advantage,  is  content  to  overlook  the  harm- 
On  all  things  created  remaineth  the  half-eflaced  signatiure  of  God, 


OF  TRUTH  IN  THINGS  FALSE.  13 

Somewhat  of  fair  and  good,  though  blotted  by  the  finger  of  corruption  : 
And  if  error  cometli  in  hke  a  flood,  it  mixetli  with  streams  of  truth, 
And  the  Adversary  loveth  to  have  it  so,  for  thereby  many  are  decoyed. 
Providence  is  dark  in  its  permissions ;  yet  one  day,  wlien  all  is  known. 
The  universe  of  reason  shall  acknowledge  how  just  and  good  were  they  r. 
For  the  wise  man  leaneth  on  his  \\'isdom,  and  tlie  righteous  trustetli  to  his 

righteousness, 
And  those  who  thirst  for  independence,  are  suffered  to  drink  of  disappoint- 
ment. 
Wherefore  ?— 'to  prove  and  humble  them;  and  to -teach  the  idolaters  of 

truth. 
That  it  is  but  the  ladder  unto  Him,  on  whom  only  they  sJiouM.  Irust. 

There  is  truth  in  the  wildest  scheme  that  imSiginative  heat  hatJvf  engen^ 

dered. 
And  a  man  may  gatlier  somewhat  from  the  crudest  theories  of  fancy : 
The  alchemist  laboureth  in  folly,  but  catcheth  chance  gleams  of  wisdonu 
And  findeth  out  mimy  inventions,  though  his  crucible  breed  not  gold ; 
The  sinner,  toying  witli  witchcraft,  tliinJcetli  to  delude  his  fellows. 
But  there  be  very  spirits  of  evil,  and  what  if  they  come  at  his  bidding; 
He  is  a  bold  bad  man  who  dareth  to  tiimper  with  the  dead ; 
For  their  whereabout  lieth  in  a  mysteiy— that  v'estibule  leading  to  Eternity, 
The  waiting-room  for  unclad  ghosts,  before  the  pi-esence-chamber  of  their 

King  : 
Mind  may  act  upon  mind,  tliougli  liodies  be  far  divided  >' 
For  the  life  is  in  the  blood,  but  souls  communicate  unseen  • 
And  the  heat  of  an  excited  intellect,  radiating  to  its  fellows, 
Dotli  kindle  dry  leaves  afar  off',  while  the  green  wood  arouud    ''■  '^  "'*" 

wanned. 
Tlie  dog  may  liave  a  spirit  as  well  as  his  brutal  master ; 
A  spirit  to  Uve  in  happiness  ;  for  wliy  should  he  be  robbed  of  his  existence  ') 
Hatli  he  not  a  conscience  of  evil,  a  gUmmer  of  moral  sense, 
Love  and  hatred,  courage  and  fear,  and  visible  shame  and  pride  ? 
There  may  be  a  future  rest  for  tlie  patient  victiuis  of  the  cruel ; 
And  a  season  allotted  for  their  bliss,  to  compensate  for  unjust  sull'eringi. 
Spurn  not  at  seeming  error,  but  dig  below  its  surface  for  the  truth  ;■ 
And  beware  of  seeming  truths,  that  grow  on  the  roots  of  error : 
For  comely  are  the  apples  that  spring  from  tlie  Dead  Sea's  cursed  shore  :■ 
But  within  are  they  dust  and  ashes,  and  the  hand  that  plucked  them  shall 

rue  it. 


1-*  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

A  frequent  fimilar  effect  argiicth  a  constant  cause  : 
Yet  who  hath  counted  the  links  that  bind  an  omen  to  its  issue  ? 
Who  hath  expounded  the  law  that  rendereth  calamities  gregarious, 
I^ressing  down  with  yet  more  woes  the  heavy-laden  mourner  ? 
Wlio  knoweth  wherefore  a  monsoon  should  swell  the  sails  of  the  prosper- 
ous, 
Blithely  speeding  on  tlieir  course  the  children  of  good  luck  ? 
Who  hath  companioned  a  vi^■ion  from  the  horn  or  ivory  gate,  (') 
Or  met  an  other's  mind  in  his,  and  explained  its  presence  ? 
Thei"e  is  a  secret  somewhat  in  antipathies  ;  and  love  is  more  than  fancy  ; 
Yea,  and  a  palpable  lintice  warneth  of  an  instant  danger ; 
For  the  soul  hath  its  feeler;^,  cobwebs  floating  on  the  wind, 
That  catch  events  in  their  approach  with  sure  and  apt  presentiment, 
So  that  some  halo  of  attraction  heraldeth  a  coining  friend. 
Investing,  in  his  likeness,  the  stranger  that  passed  on  before ; 
And  wliile  the  word  is  in  thy  mouth,  behold  thy  word  fulfilled, 
And  he  of  whom  we  spake  can  answer  for  himself. 
O  man,  little  hast  thou  learnt  of  truth  in  things  most  true, 
How  therefore  shall  thy  blindness  wot  of  truth  in  things  most  false  ? 
Thou  hast  not  yet  perceived  the  causes  of  life  or  motion  ; 
Hov/  then  canst  thou  define  the  subtle  sympathies  of  mind  ? 
For  the  spirit,  sharpest  and  strongest  when  disease  hath  rent  the  body. 
Hath  welcomed  kindred  spirits  in  nightly  visitations, 
Or  learnt  from  restless  ghosts  dark  secrets  of  the  living, 
And  helped  slow  justice  to  her  prey  by  the  dreadful  teaching  of  a  dream. 

Verily,  there  is  nothing  so  true,  that  the  damps  of  error  have  not  warp- 
ed it; 
Verily,  there  is  nothing  so  false,  that  a  sparkle  of  truth  is  not  in  it. 
For  the  enemy,  the  father  of  lies,  the  giant  Upas  of  creation, 
Whose  deadly  shade  hath  blasted  this  once  green  garden  of  the  Lord, 
Can  but  pervert  the  good,  but  may  not  create  the  evil ; 
He  destroyeth,  but  cannot  build  ;  for  he  is  not  antagonist  deity : 
Mighty  in  his  stolen  power,  yet  is  he  a  creature  and  a  subject  *, 
Not  a  maker  of  abstract  v/rong,  but  a  spoiler  of  concrete  right : 
The  fiend  hath  not  a  royal  crown ;  he  is  but  a  prowling  robber, 
Suffered,  for  some  mysterious  end,  to  haunt  the  King's  highway ; 
And  the  keen  sword  he  beareth,  once  was  a  simple  ploughshare ; 
Yea,  and  his  panoply  of  error  in  but  a  distortion  of  the  truth : 


OF  ANTICIPATION.  15 

The  sickle  that  once  reaped  righteousness,  beaten  from  its  useful  curve, 
With  axe,  and  spike,  and  bar,  headeth  the  marauder's  halbert. 
Seek  not  furuher,  O  man,  to  solve  the  dark  riddle  of  sin  ; 
Suffice  it,  that  thine  own  bad  heart  is  to  thee  thine  orijrin  of  evil. 


OF    ANTICIPATION. 

Thou  hast  seen  many  sorrows,  travel-stained  pilgrim  of  the  world, 
But  that  which  hath  vexed  thee  most,  hath  been  the  looking  for  evil ; 
And  though  calamities  have  crossed  thee,  and  misery  been  heaped  on  thy 

head, 
Yet  ills  that  never  happened,  have  chiefly  made  thee  wretched. 
The  sting  of  pain  and  the  edge  of  pleasure  arc  blunted  by  long  expectation. 
For  the  gall  and  the  balm  alike  are  diluted  in  the  waters  of  patience : 
And  often  thou  sippest  sweetness,  ere  the  cup  is  dashed  from  thy  lip ; 
Or  drainest  the  gall  of  fear,  while  evil  is  passing  by  thy  dwelling. 
A  man  too  careful  of  danger  liveth  in  continual  torment ; 
But  a  cheerful  expecter  of  the  best  hath  a  fountain  of  joy  within  him  : 
Yea,  though  the  breath  of  disappointment  should  chill  the  sanguine  heart, 
Speedily  glowetli  it  again,  warmed  by  the  live  embers  of  hope ; 
Though  tlie  black  and  heavy  surge  close  above  the  head  for  a  moment, 
Yet  the  happy  buoyancy  of  Conhdence  riseth  superior  to  Despair. 
Verily,  evils  may  be  courted,  may  be  wooed  and  won  by  distrust ; 
For  the  wise  Physician  of  our  weal  loveth  not  an  unbelieving  spirit ; 
And  to  those  giveth  he  good,  who  rely  on  his  hand  for  good ; 
And  those  leaveth  he  to  evil,  who  fear,  but  trust  him  not. 
Ask  for  good,  and  hope  it ;  for  the  ocean  of  good  is  fathomless ; 
Ask  for  good,  and  have  it ;  for  tliy  Friend  would  see  tliee  happy : 
But  to  the  timid  heart,  to  the  child  of  unbelief  and  dread, 
That  leaneth  on  his  own  weak  staff,  and  trusteth  the  sight  of  his  eyes, 
The  evil  he  feared  shall  come,  for  the  soil  is  ready  for  the  seed ; 
And  suspicion  hath  coldly  put  aside  the  hand  that  was  ready  to  help  him  ; 
Therefore  look  up,  sad  spirit,  be  strong,  thou  coward  heart, 
Or  fear  will  make  thee  wretched,  though  evil  follow  not  behind : 
Cease  to  anticipate  misfortune, — there  are  still  many  chances  of  escape ; 
But  if  it  come,  be  courageous ;  face  it,  and  conquer  thy  calamity. 


16  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

There  is  not  an  enemy  so  stout  as  to  storm  and  take  the  fortress  of  the 

mind, 
Unless  its  iiitirmity  turn  traitor,  and  Fear  unbar  the  gates. 
The  valiant  stiindetli  as  a  rock,  and  the  billows  break  upon  him ; 
The  timorous  is  a  skiff  unmoored,  tost  and  mocked  at  by  a  ripple ; 
The  valiant  holdeth  fast  to  good,  till  evil  wrench  it  from  him ; 
The  timorous  casteth  it  aside,  to  meet  the  worst  half  way : 
Yet  oftentimes  is  evil  but  a  braggart,  that  provoketh  and  will  not  fight ; 
Or  the  feint  of  a  subtle  fencer,  who  measureth  his  thrust  elsewhere : 
Or  perchance  a  blessing  in  a  masque,  sent  to  try  thy  trust. 
The  precious  smiting  of  a  friend,  wliose  frowns  are  all  in  love  : 
Often  the  storm  threateneth,  but  is  driven  to  other  climes, 
And  the  weak  hath  quailed  in  fear,  while  the  firm  hath  been  glad  in  his 

confidence. 


•OF    HIDDEN   USES. 

The  sea-wort  (^)  floating  on  the  \\-aves.  or  rolled  up  high  along  the  shore, 
Ye  counted  useless  and  vile,  heaping  on  it  names  of  contempt : 
Yet  hath  it  gloriously  triumphed,  and  man  been  humbled  in  his  ignorance, 
For  health  is  in  the  freshness  of  its  savour,  and  it  cumbereth  the  beach 

with  wealth ; 
Comforting  the  tossings  of  pain  with  its  violet-tinctured  essence, 
And  by  its  humbler  ashes  enriching  many  proud. 
Be  tliis  then  a  lesson  to  thy  soul,  that  thou  reckon  nothing  wortliless, 
Because  thou  heedest  not  its  use,  nor  knowest  the  virtues  thereof. 
And  herein,  as  thou  walkest  by  the  sea,  shall  weeds  be  a  type  and  an 

earnest 
Of  the  stored  and  uncounted  riches  lying  liid  in  all  creatures  of  God : 
Tliere  be  flowers  making  glad  the  desert,  and  roots  fattening  tlie  soil, 
And  jewels  in  the  secret  deep,  scattered  among  groves  of  coral, 
And  comforts  to  crown  all  wishes,  iind  aids  unto  every  need. 
Influences  yet  unthought,  and  virtues,  and  many  inventions, 
And  uses  above  and  around,  which  man  hath  not  yet  regarded. 
Not  long  to  chann  away  disease,  hath  the  crocus  (*)  yielded  up  its  bulb, 
Nor  the  willow  lent  its  bark,  nor  the  nightshade  its  vanquished  poison ; 


OF  fflDDEN  USES.  17 

Not  long  hath  the  twisted«leaf,  the  fragrant  gift  of  China, 

Nor  that  nuti-itious  root,  the  boon  of  far  Peru, 

Nor  the  many-coloured  dahlia,  nor  the  gorgeous  flaunting  cactus, 

Nor  the  multitude  of  fruits  and  flowers,  ministered  to  Ufe  and  luxury ; 

Even  so,  there  be  virtues  yet  unknowoi  in  the  wasted  foliage  of  the  elm, 

In  the  sun-dried  harebell  of  the  downs,  and  the  hyacinth  drinking  in  the 

meadow, 
In  the  sycamore's  winged  fruit,  and  the  facet-cut  cones  of  the  cedar ; 
And  the  pansy  and  bright  geranium  live  not  alone  for  beauty. 
Nor  the  waxen  flower  of  the  arbute,  though  it  dielh  in  a  day. 
Nor  the  sculptured  crest  of  the  fir,  unseen  but  by  the  stars ; 
And  the  meanest  weed  of  the  garden  serveth  unto  many  uses. 
The  salt  tamarisk,  and  juicy  flag,  the  freckled  orchis,  and  the  daisy. 
The  world  may  laugh  at  famine  when  forest-trees  jdeld  bread. 
When  aconis  give  out  fragrant  drink,  (®)  and  the  sap  of  the  linden  is  as 

fatness : 
For  every  green  herb,  from  the  lotus  to  tlie  darnel, 
Is  rich  ^\^th  delicate  aids  to  help  incurious  man. 

Still,  jMiud  is  up  and  stirring,  and  pryeth  m  the  comers  of  contrivance, 
Often  from  the  dark  recesses  picking  out  bright  seeds  of  truth  : 
Knowledge  hath  clipped  the  Ughtning's  wings,  and  mewed  it  up  for  a 

purpose. 
Training  to  some  domestic  task  the  fiery  bird  of  heaven ; 
Tamed  is  the  spirit  of  the  storm,  to  slave  in  all  peaceful  arts, 
To  walk  with  husbandly  and  science  ;  to  stand  in  the  vanguard  against 

death : 
And  the  chemist  balanceth  his  elements  witli  more  than  magic  skill, 
Commanding  stones  tliat  they  be  bread,  and  drauiing  sweetness  out  of 

wormwood. 
Yet  man,  heedless  of  a  God,  counteth  up  vain  reckonings, 
Fearing  to  be  jostled  and  starved  out,  by  the  too  prolific  increase  of  liis 

kind; 
And  asketli,  in  imbelieving  dread,  for  how  few  years  to  come 
Will  tlie  black  cellars  of  the  world  yield  unto  him  fuel  for  his  winter. 
Might  not  tlie  wide-waste  sea  be  pent  witliin  narrower  bounds  ? 
Might  not  the  arm  of  diligence  make  the  tangled  wilderness  a  garden  ? 
And  for  auglit  thou  canst  tell,  there  may  be  a  thousand  methods 
Of  comforting  tliy  Umbs  in  wannth,  thougi  thou  kindle  not  a  spark. 


18  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Fear  not,  son  of  man,  for  thyself  nor  thy  seed : — with  a  multitude  is  plenty ; 
God's  blessing  giveth  increase,  and  with  it  larger  than  enough. 

Search  out  the  wisdom  of  nature,  there  is  depth  in  all  her  doings ; 

She  seemeth  prodigal  of  power,  yet  her  rules  are  the  maxims  of  frugality : 

The  plant  refresheth  the  air,  and  the  earth  filtereth  the  water. 

And  dews  are  sucked  into  the  cloud,  dropping  fatness  on  the  world : 

She  hath,  on  a  mighty  scale,  the  general  use  of  all  things ; 

Yet  hath  she  specially  for  each  its  microscopic  purpose : 

There  is  use  in  the  prisoned  air,  that  swelleth  the  pods  of  the  laburnum ; 

Design  in  the  venomed  thorns,  that  sentinel  the  leaves  of  the  nettle ; 

A  final  cause  for  the  aromatic  gum,  that  congealeth  the  moss  around  a  rose  : 

A  reason  for  each  blade  of  grass,  that  reareth  its  small  spire. 

How  knoweth  discontented  man  what  a  train  of  ills  might  follow, 

If  the  lowest  menial  of  nature  knew  not  her  secret  office  ? 

If  the  thistle  never  sprang  up,  to  mock  the  loose  husbandry  of  indolence, 

Or  the  pestilence  never  swept  away  an  unknown  curse  from  among  men  ? 

Would  ye  crush  the  buzzing  myriads  that  float  on  the  breath  of  the  evening  ? 

Would  ye  trample  the  creatures  of  God  that  people  the  rotting  fruil  ? 

Would  ye  suffer  no  mildew  forest  to  stain  the  unhealthy  wall. 

Nor  a  noisome  savour  to  exiiale  from  the  pool  that  breedeth  disease  ? 

Pain  is  useful  unto  man,  for  it  teacheth  him  to  guard  his  life, 

And  tJie  fetid  vapours  of  the  fen  warn  him  to  fly  from  danger : 

And  the  meditative  mind,  looking  on,  winneth  good  food  for  its  hunger, 

Seeing  the  wholesome  root  bring  forth  a  poisonous  berry  ; 

For  otherwhile  falleth  it  out  that  truth,  driven  to  extremities, 

Yieldeth  bitter  folly  as  the  spoilt  fruit  of  wisdom. 

O,  blinded  is  thine  eye,  if  it  see  not  just  aptitude  in  all  things ; 

O,  frozen  is  thy  heart,  if  it  glow  not  with  gratitude  for  all  things : 

In  the  perfect  circle  of  creation  not  an  atom  could  be  spared. 

From  earth's  magnetic  zone  to  the  bindweed  round  a  hawthorn. 

The  sage,  and  the  beetle  at  his  feet,  hath  each  a  ministration  to  perform ; 
The  brier  and  the  palm  have  the  wages  of  life,  rendering  secret  service. 
Neither  is  it  thus  alone  with  the  definite  existences  of  matter ; 
But  motion  and  sound,  circumstance  and  quality,  yea,  all  things  have  their 

office. 
The  zephyr  playing  with  an  aspen  leaf, — the  earthquake  that  rendeth  a 

continent ; 


OF  COMPENSATION.  W 

The  moonbeam  silvering  a  ruined  arch, — the  desert  wave  dashing  up  a 

pyramid ; 
The  thunder  of  jarring  icebergs, — the  stops  of  a  shepherd's  pipe ; 
The  howl  of  the  tiger  in  the  glen, — and  the  wood-dove  calUng  to  her  mate ; 
The  vulture's  cruel  rage, — the  grace  of  the  stately  swan ; 
The  fierceness  looking  from  the  lynx's  eye,  and  the  dull  stupor  of  the  sloth ; 
To  these,  and  to  all,  is  there  added  each  its  use,  though  man  considereth 

it  Ughtly ; 
For  Power  hath  ordained  nothing  which  Economy  saw  not  needful. 

All  things  being  are  essential  to  the  vast  ubiquity  of  God  ; 

Neither  is  there  one  thing  overmuch,  nor  freed  from  honourable  servitude. 

Were  there  not  a  need-be  of  wisdom,  nothing  would  be  as  it  is ; 

For  essence  without  necessity  argueth  a  moral  weakness. 

We  look  through  a  glass  darkly,  we  catch  but  glimpses  of  truth ; 

But,  doubtless,  the  sailing  of  a  cloud  hath  Providence  to  its  pilot, 

Doubtless,  the  root  of  an  oak  is  gnarled  for  a  special  purpose. 

The  foreknowTi  station  of  a  rusli  is  as  fixed  as  the  station  of  a  king, 

And  chaff  from  the  hand  of  a  winnow^er,  steered  as  the  stars  in  their  courses. 

Man  liveth  only  in  himself,  but  the  Lord  liveth  in  all  things ; 

And  his  peiTading  unity  quickeneth  the  whole  creation. 

Man  doeth  one  thing  at  once,  nor  can  he  think  two  thoughts  together ; 

But  God  compasseth  all  tilings,  mantling  the  globe  like  air : 

And  we  render  homage  to  His  wisdom,  seeing  use  in  all  His  creatures, 

For,  perhance,  the  imiverse  would  die,  w'ere  not  all  tilings  as  they  are. 


OF    COMPENSATION. 

Equal  is  the  government  of  heaven  in  allotting  pleasures  among  men, 
And  just  the  everlasting  law,  that  liath  wedded  happiness  to  virtue  : 
For  verily  on  all  things  else  broodeth  disappointment  with  care, 
That  childish  man  may  be  taught  the  shallowness  of  earthly  enjoyment. 
Wherefore,  ye  that  have  enough,  envy  ye  the  rich  man  his  abundance  ? 
Wherefore,  daughters  of  affluence,  covet  ye  the  cottager's  content? 
Take  the  good  with  the  evil,  for  ye  all  are  pensioners  of  God, 
And  none  may  choose  or  refuse  the  cup  his  w'isdom  mixeth. 


20  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

The  poor  man  rejoiceth  at  his  toil,  and  Ms  daily  bread  is  sweet  to  him  : 
Content  with  present  good,  he  looketh  not  for  evil  to  the  future : 
The  rich  man  languisheth  with  sloth,  and  findeth  pleasure  in  nothing, 
He  locketh  up  care  with  his  gold,  and  fearoth  the  ficldeness  of  fortune. 
Can  a  cup  contain  witliin  itself  the  measure  of  a  bucket  ? 
Or  the  straitened  appetites  of  man  drink  more  than  their  fill  of  luxury  ? 
There  is  a  limit  to  enjoyment,  though  the  sources  of  wealth  be  boundless ; 
And  the  choicest  pleasures  of  life  lie  within  the  ring  of  moderation. 

Also  though  penury  and  pain  be  real  and  bitter  evils, 

T  would  reason  with  the  poor  afflicted,  for  he  is  not  so  wretched  as  he 

seemeth. 
What  right  hath  an  offender  to  complain,  though  others  escape  punishment, 
If  tlie  stripes  of  earned  misfortune  overtake  him  in  his  sin  ? 
Wherefore  not  endure  with  resignation  the  evils  thou  canst  not  avert  ? 
For  the  coward  pain  will  flee,  if  thou  meet  him  as  a  man : 
Consider,  whatever  be  thy  fate,  that  it  might  and  ought  to  have  been  worse, 
And  that  it  heth  in  thy  hand  to  gather  even  blessings  from  afflictions  : 
Bethink  thee,  wherefore  were  they  sent  ?  and  hath  not  use  blunted  their 

keeness  ? 
Need  hope,  and  patience,  and  courage,  be  strangers  to  the  meanest  hovel  ? 
Thou  art  in  an  evil  case, — it  were  cruel  to  deny  to  thee  compassion, 
But  there  is  not  unmitigated  ill  in  the  sharpest  of  tliis  world's  sorrows  : 
I  touch  not  the  sore  of  tliy  guilt ;  but  of  human  griefs  I  counsel  thee, 
Cast  off  the  weakness  of  regret,  and  gird  thee  to  redeem  thy  loss. 
Thou  hast  gained,  in  the  furnace  of  affliction,  self-knowledge,  patience,  and 

humility, 
And  these  be  as  precious  ore,  tJiat  waiteth  the  skill  of  the  coiner : 
Despise  not  tlie  blessings  of  adversity,  nor  the  gain  thou  hast  earned  so 

hardly. 
And  now  thou  hast  drained  the  bitter,  take  heed  that  thou  lose  not  the 

sweet. 

Power  is  seldom  innocent,  and  envy  is  the  yoke-fellow  of  emmence  ; 

And  the  rust  of  the  miser's  riches  wasteth  his  soul  as  a  canker. 

The  poor  man  counteth  not  the  cost  at  which  such  wealth  hath  been  pur- 
chased ; 

He  would  be  on  the  mountain's  top  without  the  toil  and  travail  of  the 
clunbing. 


OF  COMPENSATION.  21 

But  equity  demandeth  recompense  ;  for  high-place,  calumny  and  care ; 

For  state,  comfortless  splendour  eating  out  the  heart  of  liome    ; 

For  warrior  fame,  dangers  and  death ;  for  a  name  among  the  learned,  a 

spirit  overstrained ; 
For  honour  of  all  lands,  the  goad  of  ambition ;  on  every  acquirement,  the 

tax  of  anxiety. 
He  that  would  change  with  another,  must  take  the  cup  as  it  is  mixed : 
Poverty,  with  largeness  of  heart  ;  or  a  full  purse,  with  a  sordid  spirit : 
Wisdom,  in  an  ailing  body  ;  or  a  common  mind  with  health  : 
Godliness,  with  man's  scorn ;  or  the  welcome  of  the  mighty,  mth  guilt : 
Beauty,  with  a  fickle  heart ;  or  plainness  of  face,  with  affection. 
For  so  hath  Providence  determined,  that  a  man  shall  not  easily  discover 
Unmingled  good  or  evil,  to  quicken  his  envy  or  abhorrence. 
A  bold  man  or  a  fool  must  lie  be,  who  would  change  his  lot  with  another ; 
It  were  a  fearful  bargain,  and  mercy  hath  lovingly  refused  it ; 
For  we  know  the  worst  of  ourselves,  but  the  secrets  of  another  we  see  not, 
And  better  is  certain  bad,  than  the  doubt  and  dread  of  worse. 

Just,  and  strong,  and  opportune  is  the  moral  rule  of  God  ; 

Ripe  in  its  times,  firm  in  its  judgments,  equal  in  the  measure  of  its  gifts ; 

Yet  men,  scanning  the  surface,  count  the  wicked  happy  : 

Nor  heed  the  compensating  peace  which  gladdeneth  the  good  in  his  afflictions. 

They  see  not  the  frightful  dreams  that  crowd  a  bad  man's  pillow, 

Like  wreathed  adders  crawling  round  his  midnight  conscience  ; 

They  hear  not  the  terrible  suggestions,  that  knock  at  the  portal  of  his  will, 

Provoking  to  wipe  away  from  life  the  one  weak  witness  of  the  deed ; 

They  know  not  the  torturing  suspicions  that  sting  his  panting  breast. 

When  the  clear  eye  of  penetration  quietly  readeth  off  the  truth. 

Likewise  of  the  good  what  know  they  ?  the  memories  bringing  pleasure. 

Shrined  in  the  heart  of  the  benevolent,  and  glistening  from  his  eye  ; 

The  calm  self-justifying  reason  that  cstablisheth  the  upright  in  his  purpose  ; 

The  warm  and  gushing  bliss  that  floodeth  all  the  thoughts  of  the  religious. 

Many  a  beggar  at  tlie  cross-way,  or  gray-haired  slicphord  on  the  plain. 

Hath  more  of  the  end  of  all  wealth,  than  hundreds  who  multiply  the  means. 

Moreover,  a  moral  compensation  rcacheth  to  the  secrecy  of  thought ; 
For  if  thou  wilt  think  evil  of  thy  neighbour,  soon  shalt  thou  have  him  for  thy 
foe : 


23  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

And  yet  he  may  know  nothing  of  the  cause  that  maketh  thee  distasteful 

to  his  soul, — 
The  cause  of  unkind  suspicion,  for  which  thou  hast  thy  punishment : 
And  if  thou  think  of  him  in  charity,  wishing  or  praying  for  his  weal, 
He  shall  not  guess  the  secret  charm  that  lureth  his  soul  to  love  thee. 
For  just  is  retributive  ubiquity  :  Samson  did  sin  with  Dalilah, 
And  his  eyes  and  captive  strength  were  forfeit  to  the  Philistine  : 
Jacob  robbed  his  brother,  and  sorrow  was  his  portion  to  the  grave  : 
David  must  fly  before  his  foes,  yea,  though  his  guilt  is  covered : 
And  He,  who  seeming  old  in  youth,  (')  was  marred  for  others'  sin, 
For  every  special  crime  must  bear  its  special  penalty  : 
By  luxury,  or  rashness,  or  vice,  the  member  that  hath  erred  suffereth, 
And  therefore  the  Sacrifice  for  all  was  pained  at  every  pore. 

AUke  to  the  slave  and  his  oppressor  cometh  night  with  sweet  refreshment, 
And  half  of  the  life  of  the  most  wretched  is  gladdened  by  the  soothings  of 

sleep. 
Pain  addeth  zest  unto  pleasure,  and  teacheth  the  luxury  of  health : 
There  is  a  joy  in  sorrow,  which  none  but  a  mourner  can  know  ; 
Madness  hath  hnaginary  bliss,  and  most  men  have  no  more  ; 
Age  hath  its  quiet  calm,  and  youth  enjoyeth  not  for  haste  ; 
Daily,  in  the  midst  of  its  beatitude,  the  righteous  soul  is  vexed  ; 
And  even  the  misery  of  guilt  doth  attain  to  the  bliss  of  pardon. 
Who,  m  the  face  of  the  bom-blind,  ever  looked  on  other  llian  content  ? 
And  the  deaf  ear  listeneth  witliin  to  the  silent  music  of  the  heart. 
There  is  evil  poured  upon  the  earth  from  the  overflowings  of  con-uption, — 
Sickness,  and  poverty,  and  pain,  and  guilt,  and  madness,  and  sorrow  ; 
But,  as  the  water  from  a  fountain  riseth  and  sinketh  to  its  level, 
Ceaselessly  toileth  justice  to  equalize  the  lots  of  men  : 
For,  habit,  and  hope,  and  ignorance,  and  the  being  but  one  of  a  multitude, 
And  strength  of  reason  in  the  sage,  and  dulness  of  feeling  in  the  fool. 
And  the  light  elasticity  of  courage,  and  the  calm  resignation  of  meekness. 
And  the  stout  endurance  of  decision,  and  the  weak  carelessness  of  apathy. 
And  helps  invisible  but  real,  and  ministerings  not  unfelt. 
Angelic  aid  with  worldly  discomfiture,  bodily  loss  with  the  soul's  gain. 
Secret  griefs,  and  silent  joys,  thorns  in  the  flesh,  and  cordials  for  the  spirit, 
( — Short  of  the  insuperable  barrier  dividing  innocence  from  guilt, — ) 
Go  far  to  level  all  things,  by  the  gracious  rule  of  Compensation. 


OF  INDIRECT  INFLUENCES.  23 


OF    INDIRECT    INFLUENCES. 

Face  thy  foe  in  the  field,  and  perchance  thou  wilt  meet  thy  master. 

For  the  sword  is  chained  to  his  wrist,  and  his  armour  buckled  for  the  battle ; 

But  find  him  when  he  looketh  not  for  thee,  aim  between  the  joints  of  his 

harness. 
And  the  crest  of  his  pride  will  be  humbled,  his  cruelty  will  bite  the  dust. 
Beard  not  a  lion  in  his  den,  but  fashion  the  secret  pitfall. 
So  shalt  thou  conquer  the  strong,  thyself  triumphing  in  weakness. 
The  hurricane  rageth  fiercely,  and  the  promontory  standeth  in  its  might, 
Breasting  the  artillery  of  heaven,  as  darts  glance  from  the  crocodile  ; 
But  the  small  continual  creeping  of  the  silent  footsteps  of  the  sea 
Mineth  the  wall  of  adamant,  and  stealthily  compasseth  its  ruin. 
The  weakness  of  accident  is  strong,  where  the  strength  of  design  is  weak: 
And  a  casual  analogy  convinceth,  when  a  mind  beareth  not  argument. 
Will  not  a  man  listen  ?  be  silent ;  and  prove  thy  maxim  by  example : 
Never  fear,  thou  losest  not  thy  hold,  though  thy  mouth  doth  not  render  a 

reason. 
Contend  not  in  wisdom  with  a  fool,  for  thy  sense  maketh  much  of  his  conceit ; 
And  some  errors  never  would  have  thriven,  liad  it  not  been  for  learned 

refutation ; 
Yea,  much  evil  hath  been  caused  by  an  honest  wrestler  for  truth. 
And  much  of  unconscious  good,  by  the  man  that  hated  wisdom  : 
For  the  intellect  judgeth  closely,  and  if  thou  overstep  thy  argument, 
Or  seem  not  consistent  with  thyself,  or  fail  in  thy  direct  purpose. 
The  mind  that  went  along  with  thee,  shall  stop  and  return  without  thee, 
And  thou  shalt  have  raised  a  foe,  where  thou  mightest  have  won  a  friend. 

Hints,  shrewdly  strown,  mightily  disturb  the  spirit. 

Where  a  barefaced  accusation  would  be  too  rMculous  for  calumny : 

The  sly  suggestion  toucheth  nerves,  and  nerves  contract  the  fronds. 

And  the  sensitive  mimosa  of  affection  trembleth  to  its  root ; 

And  friendships,  the  growth  of  half  a  century,  those  oaks  tliat  laugh  at 

storms. 
Have  been  cankered  in  a  night  by  a  worm,  even  as  the  prophet's  gourd. 
Hast  thou  loved,  and  not  known  jealousy  ?  for  a  sidelong  look 
Can  please  or  pain  thy  heart  more  than  the  multitude  of  proofs : 


24  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY, 

Hast  tlioTi  hated,  and  not  learned  that  tliy  silent  scorn 

Doth  deeper  aggravate  thy  foe  than  loud-cursing  malice  ? — 

A  wise  wise  man  prevaileth  in  power,  for  he  screeneth  his  battering  engine, 

But  a  fool  tilteth  headlong,  and  his  adversary  is  aware. 

Behold  those  broken  arches,  that  oriel  all  unglazed, 

That  crippled  line  of  columns  bleaching  in  the  sun, 

The  delicate  shaft  stricken  midway,  and  the  flying  buttress 

Idly  stretching  fortli  to  hold  up  tufted  ivy  : 

Tliinkest  thou  the  thousand  eyes  that  shine  with  rapture  on  a  ruin. 

Would  have  looked  with  half  their  wonder  on  the  perfect  pile  ? 

And  wherefore  not — but  that  light  hints,'  suggesting  unseen  beauties, 

Fill  the  complacent  gazer  with  self-grown  conceits  ? 

And  so,  the  rapid  sketch  winneth  more  praise  to  the  painter, 

Than  the  consummate  work  elaborated  on  his  easel : 

And  so,  the  Helvetic  lion  caverned  in  the  living  rock 

Hath  more  of  majesty  and  force,  than  if  upon  a  marble  pedestal. 

Tell  me,  daughter  of  taste,  what  hath  charmed  thine  ear  in  music  ? 

Is  it  the  laboured  theme,  the  curious  fugue  or  cento, — 

Nor  rather  the  sparkles  of  intelligence  flashing  from  some  strange  note, 

Or  the  soft  melody  of  sounds  far  sweeter  for  simplicity  ? 

Tell  me,  thou  son  of  science,  what  hath  filled  thy  mind  in  reading  ? 

Is  it  the  volume  of  detail  where  all  is  orderly  set  down. 

And  they  that  read  may  run,  nor  need  to  stop  and  think  ; 

The  book  carefully  accui-ate,  that  counteth  thee  no  better  than  a  fool. 

Gorging  the  passive  mind  with  annotated  notes  ; — 

Nor  rather  the  half-suggested  thoughts,  the  riddles  thou  mayest  solve, 

The  fair  ideas,  coyly  peepuig  like  young  loves  out  of  roses, 

The  quaint  arabesque  conceptions,  half  cherub  and  half  flower, 

The  light  analogy,  or  deep  allusion,  trusted  to  thy  learning, 

The  confidence  implied  in  thy  skill  to  unravel  meaning  mysteries  ? 

For  ideas  are  ofttimes  shy  of  the  close  furniture  of  words, 

And  thought,  wherein  only  is  power,  may  be  best  conveyed  by  a  suggestion  ; 

The  flash  that  Hghteth  up^  a  valley,  amid  the  dark  midnight  of  a  storm, 

Coineth  the  mind  with  that  scene  sharper  than  fifty  summers. 

A  worldly  man  boasteth  in  his  pride  that  there  is  no  power  but  of  money  : 
And  he  judgeth  the  characters  of  men  by  the  differing  measures  of  their 
means : 


OF  INDIRECT  INFLUENCES,  25 

He  stealeth  all  goodly  names,  as  worth,  and  value,  and  substance, 
Which  be  the  ancient  heritage  of  Virtue,  but  such  an  one  ascribeth  unto 

Wealth : 
He  spumeth  the  needy  sage,  A\hose  wisdom  hath  enriched  nations, 
And  the  sons  of  poverty  and  learning,  without  whom  earth  were  a  desert : 
Music,  the  soother  of  cares,  the  tuner  of  the  dank  discordant  heart-strings, 
It  is  nought  unto  such  an  one  but  sounds,  whereby  some  earn  their  living : 
The  poem,  and  the  picture,  and  the  statue,  to  him  seem  idle  baubles, 
Which  wealth  condescendeth  to  favour,  to  gain  him  the  name  of  patron. 
But  little  wotteth  he  the  might  of  the  means  his  folly  despiseth ; 
He  considereth  not  that  these  be  the  wires  which  move  the  puppets  of  the 

world.  ^ 

A  sentence  hath   formed  a  character,  (J)  and  a  character  subdued  a 

kingdom ; 
A  picture  hath  ruined  souls,  or  raised  them  to  commerce  with  the  skies : 
The  pen  hath  shaken  nations,  and  stablished  the  world  in  peace ; 
And  the  whole  full  horn  of  plenty  been  filled  from  the  vial  of  science. 
He  regardeth  man  as  sensual,  the  monarch  of  created  matter, 
And  careth  not  aught  for  mind,  that  linketh  him  with  spirits  unseen : 
He  feedetlfhis  carcass  and  is  glad,  though  his.  soul  be  faint  and  famished, 
And  the  dull  brute  po\ver  of  the  body  bindeth  him  a  captive  to  himself. 

Man  liveth  from  hour  to  hour,  and  knoweth  not  v.hat  may  happen ; 

Influences  circle  him  on  all  sides,  and  yet  must  he  answer  for  his  actions, 

For  the  being  that  is  master  of  himself,  bendeth  events  to  his  wUl, 

But  a  slave  to  selfish  passion  is  the  wavering  creature  of  circumstance. 

To  this  man  temptation  is  a  poison,  to  that  man  it  addeth  vigour  ; 

And  each  may  render  to  himself  influences  good  or  evil. 

As  thou dircctest  the  power,  harm  or  advantage  will  follow; 

And  the  torrent  that  swept  the  valley,  may  be  led  to  turn  a  mill ; 

The  wild  electric  flash,  that  could  have  kindled  comets, 

May  by  the  ductile  wire  give  ease  to  an  ailing  child. 

For  outward  matter  or  event,  fashion  not  the  character  within, 

But  each  man,  yielding  or  resisting,  fashioneth  his  mind  for  himself. 

Some  have  said.  What  is  in  a  name  ? — most  potent  plastic  influence  ; 
A  name  is  a  word  of  character,  and  repetition  stablisheth  the  fact ; 
A  word  of  rebuke,  or  of  honour,  tending  to  obscurity  or  fame  ; 
And  greatest  is  the  power  of  a  name,  when  its  power  is  least  suspected. 


26  -     PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

A  low  name  is  a  tliorn  ia  tlie  .side,  that  liiuileretli  tlia  footman  in  his  run- 
ning ; 
But  a  name  of  ancestral  renown  shall  often  put  the  racer  to  his  speed- 
Few  men  have  grown  unto  greatness  whose  names  are  allied  to  ridicule, 
And  many  would  never  have  been  profligate,  but  for  the  splendour  of  a 

name. 
A  wise  man  scometh  notliing,  be  it  never  so  small  or  homely, 
For  he  knoweth  not  the  secret  laws  that  may  bind  it  to  great  efTects. 
The  world  in  its  boyhood  was  credulous,  and  dreaded  the  vengeance  of 

the  stars. 
The  world  in  its  dotage  is  not  wiser,  fearing  not  the  influence  of  small 

things : 
Planets  govern  not  tlie  soul,  no)*  guide  tSe  destinies  of  man, 
But  trifles,  lighter  than  straws,  arc  levers  in  the  building  up  of  character. 
A  man  hath  the  tiller  in  his  hand,  and  may  steer  against  the  current. 
Or  may  glide  down  idly  with  tiie  stream,  till  his  vessel  founder  in  the  whirl- 
pool. 


OF    MEMORY. 

Where  art  thou,  storehouse  of  the  mind,  garner  of  facts  and  fancies, — ■ 

In  what  strange  firmament  arc  laid  the  beams  of  thine  airy  chambers  ? 

Or  art  thou  that  small  cavern,  (**)  the  centre  of  the  rolling  brain, 

Whore  still  one  sandy  morsel  testifiath  man's  original  ? 

Or  hast  thou  some  grand  globe,  some  common  hall  of  intellect, 

Some  spacious  market-place  for  thought,  where  all  do  bring  their  wares, 

And  gladly  rescued  from  the  littleness,  the  narrow   closet  of  a  self, 

The  privileged  soul  hath  large  access,-coming  in  the  livery  of  learning  ? 

Live  we  as  isolated  v/orlds,  perfect  in  substance  and  spirit, 

Each  a  sphere,  with  a  special  mind,  prisoned  in  its  shell  of  matter? 

Or  rather,  as  converging  radiations,  parts  of  one  majestic  wliolc. 

Beams  of  the  Sun,  streams  from  the  River,  branches  of  the  mighty  Tree, 

Some  bearing  fruit,  some  bearing  leaves,  and  some  diseased  and  barren, — 

Some  for  the  feast,  some  for  the  floor,  and  some — how  many — for  the  fire  ? 

Memory  may  be  but  a  power  of  coming  to  the  treasury  of  Fact, 


OF  MEMORY.  27 

A  momentary  self-desertion,  an  absence  iu  spirit  from  the  now, 

An  actual  coursing  hither  and  thither,  by  the  mind,  slipped  from  its  leash, 

A  life,  as  in  the  mystery  of  dreams,  spent  within  the  limits  of  a  moment. 

A  brutish  man  knoweth  not  tliis,  neither  can  a  fool  comprehend  it, 
But  there  be  secrets  of  the  memorj',  deep,  wondrous,  and  fearfiU. 
Were  I  at  Petra,  could  I  not  declare,  My  soid  hath  been  here  before  me  ? 
Am  I  strange  to  the  columned  halls,  tlie  calm  dead  grandem-  of  Palm}Ta  ? 
Know  I  not  thy  mount,  O  Carmel !     Have  I  not  voyaged  on  the  Danube  ? 
Nor  seen  the  glare  of  Arctic  snows, — nor  tlie  black  tents  of  tlie  Tartar  ? 
Is  it  then  a  dream,  tliat  I  remember  the  faces  of  them  of  old. 
While  v/andering  in  the  grove  with  Plato,  and  listening  to  Zeno  in  the 

porch  ? 
Paul  liave  I  seen,  and  Pythagoras,  and  the  Stagj-rite  hath  spoken  me 

friendly, 
And  His  meek  eye  looked  also  upon  me,  standing  with  Peter  in  the  palaca. 
Athens  and  Rome,  Persepolis  and  Spaita,  am  I  not  a  freeman  of  you  all  ? 
And  chiefly  can  my  yearning  heart  forget  thee,  O  Jerusalem  ? 
For  tlie  strong  magic  of  conception,  mingled  with  the  fumes  of  memory, 
Giveth  me  a  life  in  all  past  time,  yea,  and  addeth  substance  to  the  future. 
Be  ye  my  judges,  imaginative  minds,  full-fledged  to  soar  into  the  sun, 
Whose  grosser  natural  thoughts  the  chemistry  of  wisdom  hath  sublimed, 
Have  ye  not  confessed  to  a  feeling,  a  consciousness,  strange  and  vague, 
That  ye  have  gone  this  way  before,  and  walk  again  your  daily  life, 
Tracking  an  old  routine,  and  on  some  foreign  strand. 
Where  bodily  yc  have  never  stood,  finding  your  own  footsteps  ? 
Hath  not  at  times  some  recent  friend  looked  out  an  old  familiar. 
Some  newest  circumstance  or  place  teemed  as  with  ancient  memories  ? 
A  startling  sudden  flash  lighteth  up  all  for  an  instant. 
And  then  it  is  quenched,  as  in  darkness,  and  leaveth  the  cold  spirit  treml> 

ling.  T 

Memory  is  not  wisdom  ;  idiots  can  rote  volumes  : 

Yet,  what  is  msdom  without  memory  ?  a  babe  that  is  strangled  in  its  birth ; 
The  path  of  the  swallow  in  the  air ;  the  path  of  the  dolphin  in  the  waters  ; 
A  cask  running  out ;    a  bottomless   chasm :    such  is  wisdom  without 

memory. 
There  be  many  wise,  who  cannot  store  their  knowledge ; 
Yet  ftx)m  themselves  are  they  satisfied,  for  the  fountain  is  withtu : 


28  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Tlijere  be  many  who  store,  but  have  no  wisdom  of  their  own, 
Lumbering  their  armory  with  weapons  their  muscles  cannot  lift : 
There  be  many  thieves  and  robbers,  who  glean  and  store  unlawfully, 
Calling  in  to  memory's  help  some  cunningly  devised  Cabala : 
But  to  feed  the  mind  with  fatness,  to  fill  thy  granary  with  corn, 
Nor  clog  with  chaff  and  straw  tlie  threshing-floor  of  reason. 
Reap  the  ideas,  and  house  them  well ;  but  leave  the  words  high  stubble, 
Strive  to  store  up  what  was  thought,  despising  what  was  said. 
For  the  mind  is  a  spirit,  and  drinketh  in  ideas,  as  flame  melteth  into  flame ; 
But  for  words,  it  must  pack  them  as  on  floors,  cumbrous  and  perishable 
merchandise. 

To  be  pained  for  a  minute,  to  fear  for  an  hour,  to  hope  for  a  week — ^how 

long  and  weary ! 
But  to  remember  fourscore  years,  is  to  look  back  upon  a  day. 
An  avenue  seemeth  to  lengthen  in  the  eyes  of  the  wayfaring  man. 
But  let  him  turn,  those  stationed  elms  crowd  up  within  a  yard ; 
Pace  the  lamp-lit  streets  of  some  sleeping  city, 

The  multitude  of  cressets  shall  seem  one,  in  the  false  picture  of  per- 
spective ; 
Even  so,  in  sweet  treachery,  dealeth  the  aged  with  himself. 
He  gazeth  on  the  green  hill-tops,  while  the  marshes  beneath  are  liidden  ; 
And  the  partial  telescope  of  memory  piercetli  t'^ie  blank  between. 
To  look  with  lingering  love  at  the  fair  star  of  childhood. 
Life  is  as  the  current  spark  on  the  miner's  wheel  of  flints : 
Wliiles  it  spimieth  there  is  light ;  stop  it,  all  is  darkness : 
Life  is  as  a  morsel  of  frankincense  burning  in  the  hall  of  Eternity ; 
It  is  gone,  but  its  odorous  cloud  curleth  to  the  lofty  roof ! 
Life  is  as  a  lump  of  salt,  melting  in  the  temple-laver ; 
It  is  gone, — yet  its  savour  reacheth  to  the  farthest  atom  ; 
Even  so,  foB  evil  or  for  good,  is  life  the  criterion  of  a  man, 
For  its  memories  of  sanctity  or  sin  pervade  all  the  firmament  of  being, 
There  is  but  the  flitting  moment  wherem  to  hope  or  to  enjoy, 
But  in  the  calendar  of  memoiy,  that  moment  is  all  time. 


THE  DREAM  OF  AMBITION.  29 


THE    DREAM    OF    AMBITION. 

I  LEFT  the  happy  fields  that  .smile  around  the  village  of  Content, 

And  sought  with  wayward  feet  the  torrid  desert  of  Ambition. 

Ixmg  time,  parched  and  weary,  I  travelled  that  burning  sand, 

And  the  hooded  basilisk  and  adder  were  strewed  in  my  way  for  palms  ; 

Black  scorpions  thronged  me  round,  with  sharp  uplifted  stings. 

Seeming  to  mock  me  as  I  ran  ;  (then  I  guessed  it  was  a  dream, — 

But  life  is  oft  so  like  a  dream,  we  know  not  where  we  are.) 

So  I  toiled  on,  doubting  in  myself,  up  a  steep  gravel  cliif, 

Whose  yellow  summit  shot  up  far  into  the  brazen  sky  ; 

And  quickly,  I  was  wafted  to  the  top,  as  upon  unseen  wings 

Carrying  me  xipward  like  a  leaf:  (then  I  thought  it  was  a  dream, — 

Yet  life  is  oft  so  like  a  dream,  we  know  not  where  we  are.) 

So  I  stood  on  the  mountain,  and  behold !  before  me  a  giant  pyi^amid, 

And  I  clomb  with  eager  haste  its  high  and  difficult  steps ; 

For,  I  longed,  like  another  Belus,  to  mount  up,  yea  to  heaven. 

Nor  sought  I  rest  until  my  feet  had  spurned  the  crest  of  earth. 

Then  I  sat  on  my  gmnite  throne  under  the  burning  smi. 

And  the  world  lay  smiling  beneath  me,  but  I  was  wi'apt  in  flames ; 

(And  I  hoped  in  glimmering  consciousness,  that  all  tliis  torture  was  a 

dream, — 
Yet  life  is  oft  so  like  a  dream,  we  know  not  where  we  ai'e.) 
And  anon,  as  1  sat  scorching,  the  pyramid  shuddered  to  its  root. 
And  I  felt  the  quarried  mass  leap  from  its  sand  foundations  : 
Awhile  it  tottered  and  tilted,  as  raised  by  invisible  levers, — 
(And  now  my  reason  spake  with  me  ;  I  knew  it  was  a  dream ; 
Yet  I  hushed  that  whisper  into  silence,  for  I  hoped  to  learn  of  wisdom, 
By  tracking  up  my  truant  thoughts,  whereunto  they  might  lead.) 
And  suddenly,  as  rolling  upon  wheels,  adown  the  cliff  it  rushed, 
And  I  thought,  in  my  hot  brain,  of  the  Muscovites'  icy  slope ; 
A  thousand  yards  in  a  moment  we  ploughed  the  sandy  seas, 
And  crushed  those  happy  fields,  and  that  smiling  village, 
And  onward,  as  a  living  thing,  still  rushed  my  mighty  throne. 
Thundering  along,  and  {>ounding,  as  it  went,  the  millions  in  my  way  : 
Before  me  all  was  life,  and  joy,  and  full-blown  summer, 


;iO  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Bohiiid  me  deatli  and  woe,  the  desert  and  simoom. 
Tlicn  I  wept  and  shrieked  aloud,  for  pity  and  for  fear  ; 
'But  might  not  stop,  for,  comet-Uke,  flew  on  the  maddened  mass 
0\'er  tlie  crashing  cities,  and  falling'obehsks  and  towers. 
And  cohimns,  razed  as  by  a  scythe,  and  high  doomes,  shivered  as  an  egg- 
shell, 
And  deep  embattled  ranks,  and  women,  crowded  in  tlie  streets. 
And  children,  kneeUng  as  for  mercy,  and  all  I  had  ever  loved, 
Yea,  over  all,  mine  awful  throne  rushed  on  with  seeming  instinct. 
And  over  the  craclding  forests,  and  over  the  rugged  beach, 
And  on  with  a  terrible  hiss  through  the  foaming  wild  Atlantic    ■ 
Tliat  roared  around  me  as  I  sat,  but  could  not  quench  my  spirit, — 
Still  on,  through  startled  soUtudes  we  shattered  the  pavement  of  the  sea, 
Down,  down,  to  that  central  vault,  tlio  bolted  doors  of  hell ; 
And  these,  with  horrid  shock,  my  huge  throne  battered  in, 
And  on  to  the  deepest  deep,  where  the  fierce  flames  were  hottest, 
Blazing  tenfold  as  conquering  furiously  the  seva  that  rushed  in  with  me, — 
And  there  I  stopped ;  and  a  fearful  voice  shouted  in  mine  ear, 
"  Behold  the  home  of  Discontent ;  behold  the  rest  of  Ambition  !" 


OF    SUBJECTION. 

Law  hath  dominion  over  all  things,  over  universal  mind  and  matter ; 
For  tliere  are  reciprocities  of  right,  which  no  creature  can  gainsay. 
Unto  each  there  was  added  by  its  Maker,  in  the  perfect  chain  of  being, 
Dependencies  and  sustentations,.  accidents,  and  qualities,  and  powers  ; 
And  each  must  fly  forward  in  tbe  ciu^'e,  unto  which  it  was  forced  from  the 

beginning  ; 
Each  must  attract  and  repel,  or  the  monarchy  of  Order  is  no  more. 
Laws  are  essential  emanations  from  the  self-poised  cliaracter  of  Grod, 
And  they  radiate  from  that  sun,  to  the  circling  edges  of  creation. 
Verily,  the  mighty  Lawgiver  hath  subjected  Himself  unto  laws, 
And  God  is  the  primal  grand  example  of  free  unstrained  obedience  : 
His  perfection  is  limited  by  right,  and  cannot  trespass  into  wi'ong. 
Because  He  hath  estabhshed  Himself  as  the  fountain  of  only  good, 
And  in  thus  much  is  bounded,  that  the  evil  hath  he  lefl  unto  another, 


OF  SUBJECTION.  31 

And  that  dark  other  liath  usurped  the  evil  wliicli  Omnipotence  laid  down. 
Unto  God  there  exist  impossibilities  ;  for  the  True  One  cannot- lie, 
Nor  the  Wise  One  wander  from  the  tracli  which  he  hath  determined  for 

himself : 
For  his  will  was  purposed  from  eternity,  strong  in  the  love  of  order  ; 
And  that  will  altereth  not,  as  the  law  of  the  Medes  and  Persians. 
God  is  the  origin  of  order,  and  the  first  exemplar  of  his  precept ; 
For  there  is  subordination  of  his  Essence,  self-guided  unto  holiness  ; 
And  there  is  subordination  of  his  Persons,  in  duo  procession  of  dignity ; 
For  the  Son,  as  a  son,  is  subject ;  and  to  him  doth  the  Spirit  minister  ; 
But  thcoc  things  be  rnJ^?tcric8  to  man,  lie  cannot  reach  nor  fathom  them, 
And  ever  must  he  speak  in  paradox,  when  labouring  to  expound  his  God ; 
For,  behold,  God  is  Alone,  mighty  in  unshackled  freedom ; 
And  with  those  wondrous  Persons  abideth  eternal  equality. 

So  then,  start  ye  from  the  fountain  and  follow  the  river  of  existence, 
For  its  current  is  bounded  througliout  by  the  banks  of  just  subordination  : 
Thrones,  and  dominions,  and  powers,  Arc'iangels,  Clicrnbim  and  Seraphim. 
Angels,  and  flaming  ministers,  and  breathing  chariots  and  harps. 
For  there  are  degrees  in  heaven,  and  varied  capabilities  of  bliss. 
And  steps  in  the  ladder  of  intelligence,  and  ranks  in  approaches  to  Per- 
fection : 
Doubtless,  reverence  is  given,  as  their  due,  to  the  masters  in  wisdom ; 
Doubtless,  there  are  who  serve  ;  or  a  throne  woirld  have  small  glory. 
Regard  now  the  universe  of  matter,  the  substance  of  visible  creation. 
Which    of  old,  \vith  well-observing    truth,  the    Greek  hath    surnamed 

Order  ;  (') 
Where  is  there  an  atom  out  of  place  ?  or  a  particle  that  yield(^th  not  obe- 
dience ? 
Where  is  there  a  fragment  that  is  free  ?  or  one  thing  the  equal  of  another? 
The  chain  is  unbroken  down  to  man,  and  beyond  him  the  links  are  perfect : 
But  he  standeth  solitary  sin,  a  marvel  of  permitted  chaos. 

And  shall  this  seeming  error  in  the  scale  of  due  subordination 

Bo  a  spot  of  desert  i^ireclaimed,  in  the  midst  of  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  ? 

Shall  his  presumptuous  pride  snap  the  safe  tether  of  connexion, 

And  his  blind  selfish  folly  refuse  the  burden  of  maintenance  ? 

O  man,  thou  art  a  creature  ;  boast  not  th3'solf  above  the  law  : 

Think  not  of  thyself  as  free  :  thou  art  bound  in  the  trammels  of  dependence. 


32  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

What  is  the  sum  of  thy  duty,  but  obedience  to  righteous  rule, 

To  the  great  commanding  oracle,  uttered  by  delegated  organs  ? 

Thou  canst  not  render  homage  to  abstract  Omnipresent  power, 

Save  through  the  concrete  symbol  of  visible  ordained  authority. 

Those  who  obey  not  man  are  oitenest  found  rebels  againest  God  •, 

And  seldom  is  the  delegate  so  bold,  as  to  order  what  he  knoweth  to  be 

wrong. 
Yet  mark  me,  proud  gainsayer !  I  say  not,  obey  unto  sin  ; 
But,  where  the  Principal  is  silent,  take  heed  tliat  thou  despise  not  the 

Deputy  : 
And  he  that  lovpth  order  ^vill  bless  thee  for  tliy  fHith, 
If  thou  recognize  his  sanction  in  the  powers  that  fashion  human  laws. 
Thou,  the  \'icegerent  of  the  Lord,  his  high  anointed  image. 
Toward  whom  a  good  man's  loyalty  floweth  from  the  hearts  of  his  religion, 
Thou,  whose  deep  responsibilities  are  fathomed  by  a  nation's  prayers, 
Whom  wise  men  fear  for  while  they  live,  and  envy  thee  nothing  but  thy 

virtues, 
From  thy  dizzy  pLunacle  of  greatness,  remember  thou  also  art  a  subject. 
And  tlie  throne  of  thine  earthly  glory  is  itself  but  the  footstool  of  thy  God. 
Tlie  homage  thy  kingdoms  yiel(^  thee,  regard  thou  as  yielded  inito  Hun ; 
And  while  girt  with  all  tlie  majesty  of  state,  consider  thee  the  Lord's  cliief 

servant ; 
So  shalt  thou  prosper,  and  be  strong,  grafted  on  the  strength  of  another ; 
So  shall  thy  virgin  heart  be  happy,  in  teing  luunble. 
And  thou  shalt  flourish  as  an  oak,  the  monarch  of  thine  i:,land  forests, 
Whose  deep-dug  roots  are  twisted  around  the  stout  ribs  of  the  globe. 
That  mocketh  at  the  fury  of  the  stomi,  and  rejoiceth  in  summer  sunshine, 
Glad  in  tne  smiles  of  heaven,  and  great  in  the  stability  of  earth. 

A  ruler  hath  not  power  for  himself,  neither  is  his  pomp  for  his  pride ; 

But  beneath  the  emiine  of  his  office  should  he  wear  the  rough  hair-cloth 
of  humility. 

Nevertheless,  everj'  way  obey  him,  so  thou  break  not  a  higher  command- 
ment ; 

For  Nero  was  an  evil  king,  yet  Paul  prescribeth  subjection. 

If  the  rulers  of  a  nation  be  holy,  the  Lord  hath  blessed  that  nation ; 

If  they  be  lewd  and  impious,  chastisement  hath  come  upon  that  people  : 

For  the  bitterest  scourge  of  a  land  is  ungodliness  in  them  that  govern  it, 

And  the  guilt  of  the  sons  of  Josiah  drove  Israel  weeping  into  Babylon. 


OF  SUBJECTION.  33 

Yet  he  Llioii  resolute  against  them,  if  they  change  the  mandates  of  thy  God. 

If  they  touch  tlie  ark  of  his  covenant,  wherein  all  his  mercies  are  en- 
shrined : 

Be  rosolnte,  but  not  rebellious  :  lest  thou  ba  of  the  company  of  Korah  : 

tset  thy  face  agtiinst  them  as  a  flint :  but  bo  not  numbered  with  Abiram. 

Daniel  nobly  disobeyed  ;  but  not  from  a  spirit  of  sedition  ; 

And  Azarias  shouted  from  tlie  furnace, — I  will  not  bow  down,  O  Kr.\G. 

If  trutli  must  be  sacrificed  to  unity,  then  faithfulness  were  folly ; 

If  man  must  bo  obeyed  before  God,  the  martyrs  have  bled  in  vain : 

Yet  none  of  that  blessed  anny  reviled  the  rulers  of  the  land ; 

They  were  loud  and  bold  against  the  sin,  but  bent  before  the  ensign  of 
authority. 

Honesty,  scorning  compromise,  walketh  most  suitably  witji  Reverence ; 

Otiierwise  righteous  daring  may  show  but  as  ob-^^tinate  rebellion ; 

Therefoi'e,  suffer  not  thy  censure  to  lack  the  savour  of  courtesy. 

And  rememi)er  the  mortal  sinneth,  but  the  staff  of  his  power  is  from  God. 

jlan,  thou  hast  a  social  spirit,  and  art  deeply  indebted  to  thy  kind  : 
Therefi-re  claim  not  all  thy  rights  ;  but  yield,  for  thine  own  advantage. 
Society  is  a  chain  of  obligations,  and  its  links  must  support  each  other : 
The  branch  cannot  but  wither,  tiiat  is  cut  from  the  parent  vine. 
Wouldst  thou  be  a  dweller  in  the  woods,  and  cast  away  tlie  cords  that  bind 

thee, 
Seeking,  in  thy  bitterness  or  pride,  to  be  exiled  from  thy  fellows  ? 
Behold,  the  beasts  shall  hunt  thee,  weak,  naked,  houseless  outcast ; 
Disease  and  Death  shall  track  thee  out,  as   bloodhounds,  in  the  wilder- 
ness : 
Better  to  be  vilest  of  the  vile,  in  the  hated  company  of  men, 
Than  to  live  a  solitary  wretch,  dreading  and  Avanting  all  things ; 
Better  to  be  chained  to  tliy  labour,  in  the  dusky  thoroughfares  of  life, 
Than  to  reign  monarch  of  Sloth,  in  lonesome  savage  freedom. 

^V"honcc  then  cometh  the  doctrine  that  all  should  be  C'lual  and  free  ? — 
It  is  the  lie  that  crowded  hell,  when  Seraphs  flung  away  subjection. 
Xn  man  is  his  neighbour's  equal,  for  no  two  minds  are  similar, 
.\nd  accidents,  alike  with  qualities,  have  every  shade  but  sameness : 
'J'he  lightest  atom  of  difference  sliall  destroy  the  nice  balance  of  equality, 
AirZ-aJl  things,  from  \yithout  and  from  witiiin,  make  one  man  to  differ  from 
anotlier. 

2* 


34  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Wo  ;irc  oqnai  an;l  free  !  was  the  wutcluvord  that  ppirited  the  legions  of 

Satan, 
VVc  are  cfiiial  and  free  !  is  th--  double  he  that  entrappeth  to  him  conscripts 

from  earih : 
Tlie  incscengers  of  tiiat  dark  desjjot  will  pander  to  thy  licerioC  and  thy 

pride, 
And  draw  thee  from  the  crowd  where  thou  art  safe,  to  seize  thee  in  the 

solitary  dasert. 
Woo  unto  him  whose  heart  the  syren  song  of  Liberty  hath  charmed ; 
Wne  unto  l.im  whcse  mind  is  bewitched  by  her  treacherous  beauty  ; 
In  mad  zeal  flingeth  he  away  the  fetters  of  diity  and  restraint, 
And  yieldeth  up  the  holocaust  of  self  to  that  fair  idol  of  tlie  damned. 
No  man  hatii  freedom  in  au<;ht  save  in  that  from  which  the  wicked  would 

be  hindered, 
He  is  free  toward  God  and  good  ;  bat  to  all  else  a  bondman. 

Thou  art  in  a  middle  sphere,  to  render  and  receive  honour. 

If  thy  king  coinmandeth,  obey :  and  stand  not  in  the  wiiy  with  rebels ; 

But  if  need  be,  lay  thy  hand  upon  thy  sword,  and  fiar  not  to  smite  a 
trc,i;,or, 

P'or  the  universe  acquitleth  thee  with  honour,  fighting  in  defence  nf  thy 
khig. 

If  a  thief  break  thy  dwelling,  and  tlion  take  him,  it  were  sin  in  thee  to  let 
him  go ; 

Yea,  thou.gh  he  pleadeth  to  thy  mercy,  thou  canst  not  spare  him  and  be 
blameless ; 

For  his  guilt  is  not  only  against  thee,  it  is  not  thy  moneys  or  thy  mer- 
chandise, 

But  he  halh  done  damage  to  the  law,  which  duty  constraineth  thee  to 
sanction. 

Feast  not  thine  appetite  of  vengeance,  remembering  thou  also  art  a  man, 

But  weep  for  the  sad  compulsion,  in  which  the  chain  of  Providence  hath 
bound  thee : 

Mercy  is  not  thine  to  give  ;  wilt  thou  steal  another's  privilege  .' 

Or  S(;nd  abroad  among  thy  neighbours,  a  felon  whom  iinpunity  hath  har- 
dened ? 

Remember  the  Roman  father,  strong  in  his  stem  integrity. 

And  let  not  thy  slothful  self-indulgc-lice  make  thee  a  conniver  attlio  crind. 

Also,  if  tlae  knife  of  the  ir>urderer  bo  raised  against  thee  or  thincj 


OF  SUBJECTION.  35 

And  throngli  good  Providence  and  courage,  thou  slay  him  that  would  havo 

slain  theo, 
Thou  loscPt  not  a  tittl'^  of  thy  rectitude,  having  executed  sudden  justice; 
Still  nvAyfii  lliou  walk  among  the  blessed,  though  thy  hands  be  red  with 

bluod. 
For  thyself,  tiiou  art  ncith':"r  worse  nor  better;  but  thy  fcillows  should 

co!:nt  thee  their  creditor: 
Thou  hast  manfully  protected  the  right,  and  the  right  is  stronger  for  thy 

deed. 
Also,  in  the  re.^cuing  of  innocence,  fear  not  to  smite  the  ravisher; 
AVhat  though  ho  die  at  thy  hand  ?  for  a  good  name  is  better  tiian  tlie  life  ; 
An  1  if  Phineas  had  everlasting  praise  in  the  matter  of  Salu's  son, 
With  how  much  greater  honour  standeth  such  a  rescuer  acquitted  ? 
Uphold  the  laws  of  thy  country,  and  fear  not  to  figlit  in  their  defence ; 
But  first  bj  convinced  in  thy  mind  :  for  herein  the  do::bter  sinneth. 
Above  all  things  look  thou  well  around,  if  indeed  stern  d'.ity  forceth  thee 
To  draw  the  sword  of  justice,  and  stain  it  with  the  slaugliter  of  thy  fellows. 

She  that  lieth  in  thy  b').>om,  the  tender  wife  of  thy  affections, 

Must  ob>y  thee,  and  be  subjert,  that  evil  drop  not  on  thy  dwelling. 

The  child  that  is  used  to  constraint,  feareth  not  more  than  he  loveth  ; 

But  give  thy  son  his  way,  he  will  hate  thee  and  scorn  thee  together. 

The  master  of  a  well-ordered  home,  knoweth  to  be  kind  to  his  servants  ; 

Yet  he  exactetli  reverence,  and  each  one  feareth  at  his  post. 

There  is  nothing  on  earth  so  lowly,  but  duty  giveth  it  importance; 

No  Ktalion  so  degrading,  but  it  is  ennobled  by  obedience  : 

Yea,  b'reak  stones  uj~on  the  highway,  acknowledging  the  Lord  in  thy  lot, 

Happy  shalt  tliou  be,  and  honourable,  more  than  many  children  of  the 

mighty. 
Tiiou  that  despiscst  the  outward  forms,  beware  thou  lose  not  the  inward 

spirit ; 
For  they  are  as  words  unto  ideas,  as  symbols  to  things  unseen. 
Keep  then  the  form  that  is  good  :  retain,  and  do  reverence  to  example ; 
xAnd  in  all  things  observe  subo-dination,  for  that  is  the  whole  duty  of  maa 

A  hoi-se  knoweth  his  rider,  be  he  confident  or  timid. 
And  the  fierce  spirit  of  Bucephalus  stoopeth  mito  none  but  Alexander; 
The  tigress  roused  in  the  jtuigle  by  the  prying  spaniels  of  the  fowler, 
Will  quail  at  tlie  eye  of  man,  so  he  assert  his  digiiity ; 


36  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Nay,  tin  very  shi^is,  thoiio  giant  swans  breasting  tha  mighty  waters, 

Roll  in  the  trough,  or  break  the  wave,  to  the  pilot's  fear  or  courage : 

How  much  more  shall  man,  discerning  the  Fountai.i  of  authority, 

Bow  to  superior  commands,  and  make  his  own  obeyed. 

And  yet,  in  travelling  the  world,  hast  thou  not  often  known 

A  gallant  host  led  on  to  ruin  by  a  foeble  Xerxes  ? 

Hast  thou  not  often  seen  the  wanton  luxury  of  indolence 

Sullying  with  its  sleepy  mist  the  tarnished  crown  of  headship  ? 

Alas  !  for  a  thousand  fathers,  whose  indulgent  sloth 

Hath  emptied  the  vial  of  confusion  over  a  thousand  homes : 

Alas  !  for  the  palaces  and  hovels,  that  might  liave  been  nurseries  for  heaven, 

By  hot  intestine  broils  blighted  into  schools  for  hell : 

None  knoweth  his  place,  yet  all  refuse  to  serve, 

None  weareth  the  crown,  yet  all  usurp  the  sceptre  : 

And  perhance  some  fiarcer  spirit,  of  natural  nobility  of  mind. 

That  needed  but  the  kindness  of  constraint  to  have  grown  up  great  and  good, 

Now, — the  rich  harvest  of  his  heart  choked  by  unwceded  tares, — 

All  bold  to  dare  and  do,  unchecked  by  wholesome  fear, 

A  scotFer  about  bigotry  and  priestcraft,  a  rebel  against  government  and  God, 

And  standard-bearer  of  the  turbulent,  leading  on  the  sons  of  Belial : 

Such  an  one  is  king  of  that  small  state,  head  tyrant  of  the  thirtv, 

Brandishing  the  torch  of  discord  in  his  village-home  : 

And  the  timid  Eli  of  the  house,  yon  humble  parish-priest, 

Liveth  in  shame  and  sorrow,  fearing  his  o^vn  handy-work ; 

The  mother,  heart-stricken  years  agone,  hath  dropped  into  an  early  grave , 

The  silent  sisters  long  to  leave  a  home  they  cannot  love  ; 

The  brothers,  casting  oft'  restraint,  follow  their  wayward  wills  ; 

And  the  chance  guest,  early  departing,  blessslh  his  kind  stars. 

That  on  his  humbler  homo  hath  brooded  no  domestic  curse. 

Yet  is  that  curse  the  fruit ;  wouldest  thou  the  root  of  the  evil  ? 

A  kindness — most  unkin  1,  thjt  hath  always  spared  the  rod  ; 

A  weak  and  numbing  indecision  in  the  mjnd  that  should  be  master ; 

A  foolish  love,  pregnant  of  hate,  that  never  frowned  on  sin ; 

A  moral  cowardice  of  heart,  that  never  dared  command. 

A  kingdom  is  a  ne^t  of  families,  and  a  family  a  small  kino-dom  ; 
And  the  government  of  whole  or  part  differeth  in  nothing  but  extent. 
The  house,  where  the  master  rulcth,  is  strong  in  united  subjection. 
And  the  only  commandment  with  promise,  being  honoured,  is  a  blessing  to 
that  house  4 


OF  REST.  37 

But  and  if  he  yieldeth  up  the  reins,  it  is  weak  in  discordant  anarchy, 

And  the  bonds  of  love  and  union  melt  away,  as  ropes  of  sand. 

The  realm,  that  is  ruled  with  vigour,  lacketh  neither  peace  nor  glory, 

It  dreadeth  not  foes  frojii  witliout,  nor  the  sons  of  not  from  within  : 

But  the  meanness  of  temporizing  fear  robbeth  a  kingdom  of  its  honour. 

And  the  weakness  of  indulgent  sloth  ravageth  its  bowels  with  discord. 

The  best  of  human  governments  is  the  patriarchal  rule  ; 

The  au.thorized  supremacy  of  one,  the  prescriptive  subjection  of  many  : 

Therefore,  the  children  of  the  East  have  thriven  from  age  to  age, 

Obeying,  even  as  a  gixl,  the  royal  father  of  Cathay  : 

Therefore,  to  this  our  day,  the  Rechabite  \\'anteth  not  a  man,  (") 

But  they  stand  before  the  Lord,  forsaking  not  the  mandate  of  their  sire. 

Therefore  shall  Magog  among  the  nations  arise  from  his  northern  lair, 

And  rend,  in  the  fury  of  his  power,  the  insurgent  world  beneath  liim : 

P'or  the  thunderbolt  of  concentrated  strength  can  be  hurled  by  the  will  of  one, 

While  the  dissipated  forces  of  many  arc  harmless  a.'i  summer  lightning. 


OF    REST.  (") 

In  the  silent  watches  of  the  night,  calm  night  that  brcedeth  thoughts,  (  ^) 

When  the  task-weary  mind  disporteth  in  the  careless  play-hours  of  sleep, 

I  dreamf^d ;  and  behold,  a  valley,  green  and  sunny  and  well  watered. 

And  thousands  moving  across  it,  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  : 

And  though  many  seemed  faint  and  toil-worn,  and  stmnbled  often,  and  fell, 

Yet  moved  they  on  unresting,  as  the  ever-flowing  cataract. 

Tiicn  I  noted  adders  in  the  grass,  and  pitfalls  under  the  flowers. 

And  chasm'^  yawned  among  the  hills,  and  the  ground  was  cracked  and 

slippery : 
But  Hope  and  her  brother  Fear  sulTered  not  a  foot  to  linger ; 
Bright  plnntom"  of  false  joys  beckoned  allurinijly  forward, 
While  yelling  grisly  shapes  of  dread  came  hunting  on  behind  : 
And  ceaselessly,  like  I*ipland  swarms,  that  miserable  crowd  sped  along 
To  the  mist-involved  banks  of  a  dark  and  sullen  river. 
There  saw  I,  midway  in  the  water,  standing  a  giant  fisher, 
And  he  held  many  lines  in  his  hand,  and  they  called  him  Iron  Destiny. 
So  I  tracked  those  subtle  chains,  and  each  held  one  among  the  multitude  • 


38-  PROVERBIAL  PIIILOoOPHY. 

Then  I  unJen^tood  what  hiadiTed,  that  they  rested  i.ot  in  their  patli : 
For  the  iislier  had  sport  in  his  fisliing,  and  drew  in  hi;j  lin33  continually, 
An.!  the  new-born  babe,  and  tlie  aged  man,  were  drajifged  into  t'lat  dark 

rivor:  , 

And  he  |)uiled  all  those  niynuds  along,  and  none  might  r?st  by  the   way, 
Till  many,  for  sheer  weariasss,  were  eagar  to  plangs  into  tlie  drowning 

sir..a:n. 

So  I  knew  that  valley  was  Life,  and  it  s'o|;cd  to  the  waters  of  Death. 
Bat  far  on  the  thither  ^iJe  spread  out  a  calm  and  silent  sliore. 
Where  all  was  tranquil  as  a  sleet),  and  the  crowded  strand  was  quiet: 
And  I  saw  there  many  I  had  known,  but  tlieir  eyes  glared  chillingly  upon  me, 
As  set  in  deepest  slumber ;  and  they  pressed  their  fingers  to  tlieir  lips. 
Then  I  knew  t!iat  shore  was  the  dwelling  of  Rest,  where  spirits  held  their 

8abi)atb, 
And  it  s;;emed  tliey  would  have  told  me  much,  but  they  miglit  not  break 

that  silence ; 
For  the  law  of  their  being  was  mystery  :  they  glided  on,  hushing  as  tliey 

wont. 
Yet  further,  under  t'le  sun,  at  the  root";  of  purple  mountains, 
I  noted  a  blaze  of  glorj',  as  the  night-fires  on  nortlicra  skies  ; 
And  I  heard  the  hum  of  joy,  as  it  were  a  sea  of  melody  ; 
An  I  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  were  millions  of  happy  creatures 
Basking  in  the  golden  light ;  and  I  knew  that  land  was  Heaven. 
Then  ihe  hill  whereon  I  stood  split  asiniJer,  and  a  crater  yawnel  at  my  feet, 
Black,  and  deep,  and  dreadful,  fi^nced  round  with  ragged  ro3ks : 
Dimly  wa-s  the  darkness  lit  up  by  ;-p:res  of  di-tant  fia-ne  : 
An^l  I  sav,'  below  a  moving  mass  of  life,  like  reptiles  bred  in  corruption. 
Whore  all  was  terrible  unrest,  shrieks  and  groans  and  thunder. 

So  I  woke,  and  I  thought  upon  my  dream  :  for  it  seemed  of  wisdom's 

ministratio.s. 
What  man  is  he  that  findeth  rest,  though  he  hunt  for  it  year  after  year  ? 
As  a  child  he  had  not  yet  been  wearied,  and  cared  not  then  to  court  it ; 
As  a  youth  he  loved  not  to  be  quiet,  for  excitement  spurred  him  into  strife  ; 
As  a  man  he  tracketh  rest  in  vain,  toiling  painfuJly  to  catch  it. 
But  .still  is  he  pulled  from  the  pursuit,  by  tiie  strong  compulsion  of  his  fate. 
So  he  hopcth  to  have  peace  in  old  age,  as  he  cannut  rest  in  manhood. 
But  troubles  thicken  witli  his  years,  tUi  Deatli  hath  dogged  him  to  tlie  grave. 


OF  HUMILITY.  33 

There  rcniainclh  a  rest  for  the  spirit,  on  tlio  shadowy  side  of  life ; 

But  unto  tliis  world's  piigriin  no  rest  for  the  sole  of  his  foot. 

Ever,  from  stage  to  .sttige,  he  travellcth  wearily  forward, 

And  though  he  pluck  ilowens  by  the  way,  he  may  not  sleep  among  the 

llowcrs. 
IMIikI  is  tlie  perpetual  luotioii ;  for  it  hi  a  running  i^troaui 
From  an  unfathomable  source,  the  depth  of  the  divine  Intelligence  : 
And  though  it  be  stopped  in  its  flowing,  yet  hath  it  a  current  within, 
The  surface  may  sle^-p  unruffled,  but  underneath  are  whirljjools  of  con- 
tention. 
Keekest  thou  rest,  O  mortal  ? — seek  it  no  more  on  earth. 
For  de.stiny  will  not  cease  from  dragging  thee  through  the  rough  wilderness 

of  life  ; 
pSoekest  thou  rest,  O  imuiorlul  ? — hope  not  to  find  it  in  Heaven, 
For  slotli  yieldstii  not  happiness;  the  bli^s  of  a  spirit  is  action. 
Rest  dwellcth  only  on  an  island  in  the  mid-^t  of  the  ocean  of  existence, 
Where  the  worl  !-weary  soul  for  a  while  may  fold  its  tire.l  wingt^, 
Until,  afer  ^hort  sufiicient  slumber,  it  is  quickene!  unto  dea  hlcss  energy, 
And  specdcth  in  cagle-iiight  to  the  Sun  of  unapproachable  perfection. 


OF    HUMILITY. 

Vice  is  grown  awcaiy  of  her  gawds,  and  drancth  russet  garments, 

Lovin:r  for  change  to  walk  as  a  nun,  beneith  a  modest  veil  : 

For  Pride  hath  not~d  how  all  admire  the  fiirness  of  Humility, 

And  to  clutch  the  praise  he  coveteth,  is  content  to  be  drest  in  hair-cloth  ; 

And  wily  Lust  tempteth  t!ic  young  heart,  tliat  is  proof  against  the  bravery 

of  harlots, 
With  timi !  tears  and  retiring  looks  of  an  artless  seeming  maid  ; 
And  indolent  Apathy,  sleepily  ashamed  of  his  dull  lack-lustre  face, 
Is  glad  of  the  livery  of  meakn?s<,  that  charitable  cloak  and  cowl ; 
And  Hatred  hideth  his  demon  frown  beneath  a  gentle  mask ; 
And  Slander,  snake-like,  creepeth  in  the  dust,  thinking  to  escape  recrim- 
ination. 
But  tlie  world  hath  gained  i;omev»liat  frouj  its  years,  alid  is  quick  to  peuo- 
trato  disguises ; 


40  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Neither  in  all  these  is  it  easily  deceived,  but  rig^htly  divideth  the  true  from 
the  false. 

Yet  there  is  a  meanness  of  spirit  tliat  is  fiiir  in  the  oyos  of  most  men, 
Yea,  and  seemeth  fair  unto  itself,  loving  to  be  thouglil  Himiility. 
It-;  choler  is  not  roused  by  insolence,  neither  do  injuries  disturb  it : 
Honest  indignation  is  strange  unto  its  breast,  and  just  reproof  unto  it?  lip. 
It  s'lrinketh,  looking  fearfully  on  men,  fawning  at  the  feet  of  the  great ; 
The  breath  of  calumny  is  sweet  unto  .its  ear,  and  it  courtoth  the  rod  of 

persecution. 
But  what !  art  thou  not  a  man,  deputed  chief  of  the  creation  ? 
Art  thou  not  a  soldier  of  the  riglit,  militant  for  God  and  good  ? 
Shall  virtue  and  truth  be  degraded,  because  thou  art  too  base  to  uphold  them  ? 
Or  Goliath  be  bolder  in  blaspheming  for  want  of  a  David  in  the  camp  ? 
I  say  not,  avenge  injuries ;  for  the  ministry  of  vengeance  is  not  thine; 
But  wlierefore  rebuke  not  a  liar  ?  wherefore  do  dishonour  to  thyself? 
Wherefore  let  the  evil  triumph,  when  the  just  and  the  right  are  on  thy  side  ? 
Rufh  Humility  is  abject,  it  lackcth  the  life  of  sensibility. 
And  that  resignation  is  but  mock,  where  the  burden  is  not  felt : 
Suspect  thyself  and  thy  meekness  :  thou  art  mean  and  indifferent  to  sin ; 
And  the  heart  that  should  grieve  and  forgive,  is  case-hardened  and  forgetteth. 

Humility  mainly  beconieth  the  converse  of  man  with  his  Maker, 
But  oftentimes  it  seemsth  out  of  place  in  the  intercourse  of  man  with  man  : 
Yet,  it  is  the  cringer  to  his  equal,  that  is  chiefly  seen  bold  to  his  God, 
While  a  martyr,  whom  a  world  cannot  browbeat,  is  humble  as  a  child 

before  Him. 
Render  unto  all  men  their  due,  but  remember  thou  also  art  a  man, 
And  cheat  not  thyself  of  the  reverence  which  is  owing  to  thy  reasonable 

being. 
Be  courteous,  and  listen,  and  leani :  but  teach  and  answer  if  thou  canst : 
S'Tve  thee  of  thy  neighbour's  wisdom,  but  be  not  enslaved  as  to  a  master. 
Where  thou  perceivest  knowledge,  bend  the  ear  of  attention  and  respect ; 
But  yield  not  further  to  the  teaching,  tlmn  as  thy  mind  is  warranted  by 

reasons. 
Better  is  an  obstinate  disputant,  that  yieldeth  inch  by  inch, 
Than  the  shallow  traitor  to  himself,  who  surrendereth  to  half  an  argument. 

Modesty  wirmcth  good  report,  but  scorn  cometh  close  upon  servility ; 


OF  HUMILITY.  41 

Therefore  use  meelmess  with  discretion,  casting  not  pearls  before  swine. 
For  a  fool  will  tread  upon  thy  neck,  if  lie  seeth  thee  lying  in  the  dust ; 
And  tlier?  be  compaiiies  and  seasons  where  resolute  bearing  is  but  duty.  ■ 
If  a  good  man  discloseth  his  .secret  fiulings  unto  the  view  of  the  profane, 
What  docth  lie  but  harm  unto  his  brother,  confirming  him  in  his  sin : 
There  is  a  concealment  that  is  right,  and  an  open-mouthed  humility  tliat 

erretli ; 
There  is  a  candour  near  akin  to  folly,  and  a  meekness  looking  like  shame. 
Masculine  sentiments,  vigorously  holdon,  well  become  a  man  ; 
But  a  weak  mind  liath  a  timorous  grasp,  and  mistaketh  it  for  tenderness  of 

conscience. 
Many  are  despised  for  their  folly,  who  put  it  to  the  account  of  their  religion, 
And  because  men  treat  them  with  contempt,  they  look  to  their  God  for  glory : 
Jjiit  contempt  shall  still  be  their  reward,  wlio  betrayed  their  Master  unto 

ridicvde, 
Reilecting  on  Him  in  themselves,  meanness  and  ignorance  and  cowardice. 
A  Christian  hatli  a  royal  spirit,  and  need  not  be  ashamed  but  imto  One  : 
Among  just  m?n  walketh  Tie  softly,  but  tlie  world  should  see  him  as  a 

champion. 
His  humbleness  is  fiir  unlike  the  shame  that  coveretli  the  profligate  and 

weak, 
When  the  sober  reproof  of  virtue  hath  touched  their  tingling  ears  ; 
It-is  born  of  love  and  wisdom,  and  is  worthy  of  all  honour. 
And  the  sweet  persuasion  of  its  smile  changeth  contempt  into  reverence. 

A 'man  of  a  haughty  spirit  is  daily  adding  to  his  enemies  : 

He  standeth  as  the  Arab  in  the  desert,  and  the  hands  of  all  men  are  against 

him  : 
A  man  of  a  base  mind  daih'  subtractetli  from  his  friends, 
For  he  holdeth  himself  so  cheaply,  tTiat  others  learn  to  despise  him. 
But  where  the  meekness  of  self-knowledge  veileth  the  front  of  self-respect, 
There  look  thou  for  the  man,  whom  none  can  know  but  they  will  honour. 
Humility  is  the  softening  shadow  before  the  stature  of  Excellence, 
And  lieth  lowly  on  the  ground,  beloved  and  lovely  as  the  violet : 
Humility  is  the  frar-haircd  maid,  that  calleth  Wortli  her  brother. 
The  gentle  silent  nurse,  that  fostereth  infant  virtues  : 
Humility  liringeth  no  excuse  ;  she  is  welcome  to  God  and  man  : 
Her  countenance  is  needful  unto  <all,  who  would  prosper  in  either  world  ; 
And  the  mild  light  of  her  sweet  face  is  mirrored  in  the  eyes  of  her  com- 
panions, 


42  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

And  slraitrhUvay  stand  thoy  accepted,  children  of  penitence  and  love. 
As  when  the  blind  man  is  ni<^h  unto  a  rose,  its  sweetnes  is  the  herald  of 

its  beauty, 
So  when  thou  savourest  humility,  be  sure  thdu  art  nigh  unto  merit. 
A  gift  rejoiceth  the  covetoijs,  and  praise  fattencth  the  vain, 
And  the  pride  of  man  deliglitcth  in  the  humble  bearing  of  his  fellow ; 
But  to  the  tender  benevolence  of  the  unthanked  x\lmoner  of  good, 
Humility   is  queen   amoug  the  graces,  for  she  giveth  Him  occasion  to 

bestow. 


OF    PRIDE. 

Deep  is  the  sea,  and  deep  is  hell,  but  Pride  mineth  deeper ; 

It  is  coiled  as  a  poisonous  worm  about  the  foundations  of  the  soul. 

If  thou  expose  it  in  thy  motives,  and  track  it  in  thy  springs  of  thought, 

Complacent  in  its  own  detection,  it  will  seem  indignant  virtue  ; 

Smoothly  will  it  gratulate  thy  skill,  O  gubtle  anatomist  of  self. 

And  spurn  at  its  very  being,  wliile  it  nestleth  the  deeper  in  thy  bosom. 

Pride  is  a  double  traitor,  and  betray cth  itself  to  entrap  thee. 

Making  tliee  vain  of  thy  self-knowledge  ;  proud  of  thy  discoveries  of  pride. 

Fruitlessly  thou  strainest  for  humility,  by  darkly  diving  into  self; 

riather  look  away  from  innate  evil,  and  gaze  upon  extraneous  good : 

For  in  sounding  the  deep  things  of  the  heart,  thou  slialt  learn  to  be  vain 

of  its  capacities. 
But  in  viewing  the  heights  above  theo,  thou  shalt  be  taught  thy  littleness  ; 
Could  an  emmet  pry  into  itself,  it  might  marvel  at  its  ov,-n  anatomy. 
But  let  it  look  on  eagles,  to  discern  how  mean  a  thing  it  is. 
And  all  things  hang  upon  comparison  ;  to  the  greater,  gi"eat  is  small : 
Neither  is  there  any  thing  so  vile,  but  somewhat  yet  is  viler : 
On  all  sides  is  there  an  infinity :  the  culprit  at  the  gallows  hath  his  worse, 
And  the  virgin  martyr  at  the  stake  need  not  look  far  for  a  better. 
Therefore  see  thou  that  thine  aim  reacheth  unto  higher  than  thyself: 
Beware  that  the  standard  of  tliy  soul  wave  from  the  loftiest  battlement : 
For  pride  is  a  pestilent  meteor,  flitting  on  the  marshes  of  corruption. 
That  will  lure  thee  forward  to  thy  death,  if  thou  seek  to  track  it  to  its 

source : 


OF  EXPERIENCE.  43 

Pride  is  a  gloomy  bow,  arching  tlie  infcmal  fimiamentj 

That  will  lead  thee  on,  if  thou  wilt  hunt  it,  even  to  the  dwelling  of  despair. 

Deep  callctli  unto  deep,  and  mountam  overtoppetli  mountain, 

And  still  shalt  thou  fathom  to  no  end  the  depth  and  the  height  of  pride ; 

For  it  is  tlie  vast  ambition  of  the  soul,  warped  to  an  idle  object, 

And  nothing  but  a  Deity  in  Self  can  quench  its  insatiable  tJiirst. 

Be  aware  of  the  smiling  enemy,  that  openly  sheatheth  his  weapon, 
But  mingleth  poison  in  secret  with  the  sacred  salt  of  hospitality : 
For  pride  will  lie  dormant  in  thy  heart,  to  snatch  its  secret  opportunity, 
Watcliing.  as  a  lion-ant,  in  the  bottom  of  its  toils. 

Stay  not  to  parley  with  thy  foe,  for  his  tongue  is  more  potent  than  liis  arm, 
But  be  wiser,  fighting  against  pride  in  the  simple  panoply  of  prayer. 
Aa  one  also  of  the  poets  hath  said,  let  not  the  Proteus  escape  thee ;  (") 
For  he  will  blaze  forth  as  fire,  and  quench  liimself  in  likeness  of  water ; 
He  will  fright  thee  as  a  roaring  beast,  or  charm  tlice  as  a  subtle  reptile. 
Mark,  amid  all  liis  transformations,  the  complicate  deceitfulness  of  pride, 
And  tlie  more  he  striveth  to  elude  thee,  bind  him  tlie  closer  in  tliy  toils. 
Prayer  is  the  net  that  snareth  him ;  prayer  is  the  fetter  that  holdeth  him  : 
Tliou  canst  not  nourish  pride,  while  waiting  as  an  almsman  on  tliy  God, — 
Waiting  in  sincerity  and  trust,  or  pride  shall  meet  tliee  even  there : 
Yea,  from  the  palaces  of  Heaven,  hath  pride  cast  down  his  miiiions. 
Root  up  the  mandrake  from  thy  heart,  though  it  cost  thee  blood  m^  groans, 
Or  tli3  cherished  garden  of  thy  graces  will  fade  and  perish  utterly. 


OF    EXPERIENCE. 

I  KNEW  that  age  was  enriched  with  tlie  hard-earned  wages  of  knowledge, 
And  I  saw  tliat  hoary  wisdom  v.^as  bred  in  the  school  of  disappointment : 
I  noted  that  tlie  wisest  of  youth,  though  provident  and  cautious  of  evil. 
Yet  sailed  along  unsteadily,  as  lacking  some  ballast  of  the  mind  : 
And  the  cause  seemed  to  he  in  this,  that  while  they  considered  around 

them. 
And  warded  oft*  all  dangers  from  without,  tliey  forgat  their  o\vti  weakness 

within. 
So  steer  they  in  self-confidence,  until,  from  the  multitude  of  perila, 


44  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

They  begin  to  be  wary  of  themselves,  and  learn  the  first  lesson  of 

Experience. 
I  knew  that  in  the  n^oming  of  life,  before  its  wearisome  journey. 
The  youtliful  soul  doth  expand,  in  the  simple  luxury  of  being ; 
It  liath  not  contracted  its  wishes,  nor  set  a  limit  to  its  hopes ; 
Tlie  wing  of  fancy  is  unclipt,  and  sin  hath  not  seared  its  feelings : 
Each  feature  is  stamped  with  immortality,  for  all  its  desires  are  infinite, 
And  it  seeketh  an  ocean  of  happiness,  to  fill  tlie  deep  hollow  \\athin. 
But  the  old  and  the  grave  look  on,  pitying  that  generous  youth, 
For  they  also  have  tasted  long  ago  tlie  bitterness  of  hope  destroyed : 
They  pity  him,  and  are  sad,  remembering  the  dnys  that  are  past, 
But  they  know  he  must  taste  for  himself,  or  he  will  not  give  ear  to  their 

wisdom. 
For  Experience  hath  another  lesson,  which  a  man  will  do  well  if  he  learn, 
By  checking  the  flight  of  expectation,  to  cheat  disappointment  of  its  pain. 

Experience  teacheth  many  things,  and  all  men  are  his  scholars  : 

Yet  is  he  a  strange  tutor,  untcaching  that  which  he  hath  taught. 

Youth  is  confident,  manhood  wary,  and  old  age  confident  again  : 

Youth  is  kind,  maiiliood  cold,  and  age  retunieth  unto  kindness. 

For  youth  suspecteth  nought,  till  manhood,  bitterly  learned, 

Mistrusteth  all,  overleaping  the  mark ;  and  age  correcteth  his  excess. 

Suspicio"  is  the  scaffold  unto  faith,  a  temporary  needful  e3^esore. 

By  whicii  the  strong  man's  dwelUng  is  slowly  builded  up  behind  ; 

But  soon  as  the  top-stone  hath  been  set  to  the  well-proved  goodly  pyramid. 

The  scaffold  is  torn  down,  and  well-timed  trust  taketh  its  long  leave  of 

suspicion. 
A   thousand  volumes  in  a  thousand   tongues,  enshrine   the  lessons  of 

Experience, 
Yet  a  man  shall  read  them  all,  and  go  forth  none  the  wiser : 
For  self-love  lendeth  him  a  glass,  to  colour  all  he  conneth, 
Lest  in  the  features  of  another  he  find  his  own  complexion. 
And  we  secretly  judge  of  ourselves,  as  differing  greatly  from  all  men, 
And  love  to  challenge  causes,  to  show  how  we  can  master  their  effects : 
Pride  is  pampered  in  expecting  that  we  need  not  fear  a  common  fate, 
Or  wrong-headed  prejudice  exulteth,  in  combating  old  experience  ; 
Or  perchance  caprice  and  discontent  are  the  spurs  that  goad  us  into  danger, 
Careless,  and  half  in  hope  to  find  there  an  enemy  to  joust  with. 
Private  experience  is  an  unsafe  teacher,  for  we  rarely  learn  both  sides, 


OF  ESTIMATING  CHARACTER.  45 

And  from  the  gilt  surface  reckon  not  on  steel  beneath : 
The  torrid  sons  of  Guinea  think  scorn  of  icy  seas, 
And  the  frostbitten  Greenlander  disbelieveth  suns  too  hot. 
But  thou,  student  of  "Wisdom,  feed  on  the  marrow  of  the  matter ; 
If  tliou  wilt  suspect,  let  it  be  thyself;  if  thou  wilt  expect,  let  it  not  be 
gladness. 


OF  ESTIMATING  CHARACTER. 

Rashlt,  nor  ofttime*  truly,  doth  man  pass  judgment  on  liis  In-other ; 
For  he  seeth  not  the  springs  of  the  heart,  nor  heareth  the  reasons  of  the 

mind. 
And  the  world  is  not  wiser  than  of  old,  when  justice  was  meted  by  tlie 

sword, 
WJien  the  spear  avenged  the  wrong,  and  the  lot  decided  the  right ; 
When   the  footsteps   of  blindfold   mnocence  were   tracked   by  burning 

ploughshares. 
And  the  still  condemning  water  delivered  up  the  wizard  to  the  stake  : 
For  we  wait,  like  the  sage  of  Salamis,  to  see  what  the  end  will  be,  ('^ ) 
Fi.\ing  the  right  or  the  wrong,  by  the  issues  of  failure  cr  success. 
Judge  not  of  things  by  their  events  ;  neither  of  character  by  providence  ; 
And  count  not  a  man  more  evil  because  he  is  more  unfortunate  ; 
For  the  blessuigs  of  a  better  covenant  Ue  not  in  the  sunshine  of  prosperity ; 
But  pain  and  chastisement  the  rather  show  the  wdsc  Father's  love. 

Behold  that  daughter  of  the  v/orld  ;  she  is  full  of  gaiety  and  gladness  ; 
The  diadem  of  rank  is  on  her  brow,  uncounted  wealth  is  in  her  coffers  : 
She  tricketli  out  her  beauty  like  Jezebel,  and  is  welcome  in  tlie  courts  of 

kings ; 
She  is  queen  of  the  fools  of  fashion,  and  ruleth  the  revels  of  luxury  : 
And  though  she  sitteth  not  as  Tamar,  nor  standeth  in  the  ways  as  Rahab, 
Yet  in  the  secret  of  her  chamber,  she  shrinketh  not  from  dalliance  and 

guilt. 
She  careth  not  if  there  be  a  God,  or  a  soul,  or  a  time  of  retribution  ; 
Pleasure  is  the  idol  of  her  heart :  she  thirsteth  for  no  purer  heaven. 
And  she  laugheth  with  light  good  humour,  and  all  men  praise  Iier  gentle- 
ness ; 


4G  PROVERBIAL  FIIILOSOPIIY. 

They  are  glad  in  her  lovely  nmile,  and  the  riv?r  of  her  bounty  filloth  them. 
So  she  prospered  in  the  world :  the  worship  and  desire  of  thousands  ; 
And  she  died  even  as  she  had  lived,  careless  and  courteous  and  lilxjral. 
T!ie  grave  swallowed  up  her  pomp,  the  marble  proclaimed  her  virtues, 
For  men  esteemed  her  excellent,  and  charities  sounded  forth  her  praise ; 
But  elsewhere  far  other  judgment  settcth  her — with  infidels  and  harlots  ! 
She  abused  the  trust  of  her  splendour :  and  the  wages  of  her  sin  gjiall  be 
hereafter. 

Look  again  on  this  fair  girl,  the  orphan  of  a  village  pastor 

Who  is  dead,  and  hath  left  h.er  his  all, — his  blessing,  and  a  name  unstained  ; 

And  friends,  with  busy  zeal,  that  tlieir  purses  be  not  taxed, 

Place  the  sad  mourner  in  a  home,  poor  substitute  for  that  she  hath  lost, 

A  stranger  among  strange  faces,  she  drinketh  the  wormwood  of  dependence ; 

She-is  marked  as  a  child  of  want ;  and  tlie  world  hateth  poverty. 

Prayer  is  not  heard  in  that  house ;  the  day  she  hath  loved  tojjallow 

Is  noted  but  by  deeper  dissipation,  the  riot  of  luxury  and  gaming : 

And  wantonness  is  in  her  master's  eye,  and  she  hath  nowhere  to  flee  to ; 

She  is  cared  for  by  none  upon  earth,  and  her  God  seemeth  to  forsake  her. 

Then  cometli,  in  fair  show,  the  promise,  and  the  feint  of  affection, 

And  her  heart,  long  unused  to  kindness,  remembereth  her  father,  and 

loveth. 
And  the  villain  hath  Vv'rongcd  her  trust,  and  mocked,  and  Hung  her  from 

him. 
And  m.en  point  at  her  and  laugh  :  and  women  hate  her  as  an  outcast : 
But  elsewhere,  far  other  judgment  seateth  her — among  the  martyrs  ! 
And  the  Lord,  who  seemed  to  forsake,  giveth  double  glory  to  the  fallen. 

Once  more,  in  the  matter  of  wealtli :  if  thou  throw  thine  all  on  a  chance. 
Men  will  come  around  tliee,  and  wait,  and  watch  the  turning  of  the  wheel ; 
And  if,  in  the  lotteiy  of  life,  thou  hast  drawn  a  splendid  prize. 
What  foresight  hadst  thou,  and  skill !  yea,  what  enterprise  and  -vvisdom  ! 
But  if  it  fall  out  against  thee,  and  thou  fail  in  thy  perilous  endeavour, 
Behold,  the  simple  did  sow,  and  hath  reaped  the  right  harvest  of  his  folly  : 
And  the  world  will  be  glaldly  accused,  nor  will  reach  out  a  finger  to  help  ; 
For  why  should  this  speculative  dullard  be  a  whirlpool  to  all  around  hi.:!  ? 
Go  to,  let  him  sink  by  liimself :  we  knew  what  the  end  of  it  would  be  :— 
For  the  n>an  hath  missed  his  mark,  and  liis  fellows  look  no  further. 


OF  ESTIMATING  CHARACTER.  47 

Also,  touching  guilt  and  innocence  :  a  man  shall  walk  in  his  uprightness, 
Year  after  year  without  reproach,  in  charity  and  honesty  with  all : 
But  in  one  evil  hour  the  enemy  shall  come  in  Hke  a  flood  ; 
Shall  track  him  and  tempt  him,  and  hem  Wra, — till  he  knoweth  not  whither 

to  fly. 
Perchance  his  famishing  little  ones  shall  scream  in  his  cars  for  bread, 
And,  maddene''  hy  that  fierce  crj-,  he  rusneth  as  a  thief  upon  the  world : 
The  world  that  hath  left  him  to  starve,  itself  wallowing  in  plenty, — 
The  world,  that  denieth  him  liis  rights, — he  daringly  robbuth  it  of  tliem. 
I  say  not,  such  an  one  is  innocent :  but,  small  is  the  measure  of  his  guilt 
To  that  of  his  wealthly  neighbour,  who  would  not  help  him  at  his  need  ; 
To  that  of  the  selfish  epicure,  who  turned  away  with  coldness  from  his 

tale ; 
To  that  of  unsufFering  thousands,  who  look  with  complacence  on  his  lull. 

Or  perchance  the  continual  dropping  of  the  venomed  words  of  spite, 

Insult  and  injury  and  scorn,  have  galled  and  pierced  his  heart ; 

Yet,  with  all  long-sutfering  and  meekness,  he  forgiveth  unto  seventy  times 

seven : 
Till,  in  some  weaker  moment,  tempted  beyond  endurance. 
He  striketh,  more  in  anger  than  in  hate  ;  and,  alas  !  for  his  heavy  chance, 
He  hath  smitten  unto  instant  death  his  spiteful,  hfe-long  enemy  ! 
And  none  was  by  to  see  it ;  and  all  men  knew  of  their  contentions  : 
Fierce  voices  shout  for  his  blood,  and  rude  hands  huiTy  him  to  judgment. 
Then  man's  verdict  cometh, — Murderer,  with  forethought  malice  ; 
And  his  name  is  a  note  of  execration ;  his  guilt  is  too  black  for  devils. 
But  to  the  righteous  Judge,  sccmeth  ho  the  suffering  victim  : 
For   his  anger  was  not  unlawful,  but  became  him  as  a  Christian  and  a 

man ; 
And  though  his  guilt  was  grievous  when  he  struck  that  heavy-  bitter  blow, 
Yet  light  is  the  sin  of  the  smiter,  and  verily  kicketh  the  beam. 
To  the  weight  of  that  man's  wickedness,  whose  slow  relentless  hatred 
Mot  him  at  every  turn,  Vith  patient  continuance  in  evil. 
Doubtless,  eternal  wrath  shall  be  heaped  upon  that  spiteful  enemy. 

It  is  in  vain,  it  is  in  vain,  siiith  tlie  preacher ;  there  be  none  but  tlie  right- 
eous and  the  wicked. 
Base  rebels,  and  stanch  allies,  the  true  knight,  and  the  traitor ; 
And  he  beareth  strong  witness  among  men,  There  i.^  no  neutral  ground, 


48  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

The  broad  liighway  and  narrow  pitli  map  out  the  whole  domahi ; 
Sit  liere  among  the  saints,  these  holy  chosen  few, 
Or  grovel  there  a  wretch  condemned,  to  die  among  the  million. 
And  verily  for  ultimate  results,  there  be  but  good  and  bad  ; 
Heaven  hath  no  dusky  twilight ;  hell  is  not  gladdened  with  a  dawn. 
Yet  looking  round  among  his  follows,  who  can  pass  righteous  judgment, 
Such  an  one  is  holy  and  accepted,  and  such  an  one  reprobate  and  doomed  ? 
There  is  so  much  of  good  among  the  worst,  so  much  of  evil  in  the  best, 
Siich  seeming  partialities  in  providence,  so  many  things  to  lessen  and  expand, 
Yea,  and  with  all  man's  boast,  so  little  real  freedom  of  his  will, — 
That,  to  look  a  little  lower  than  the  surface,  garb  or  dialect  or  fashion, 
Thou  shalt  feebly  pronounce  for  a  saint,  and  faintly  condem.n  for  a  sinner. 
Over  many  a  heart  good  and  true,  fluttereth  the  Great  King's  pennant : 
By  many  an  iron  hand,  the  pirate's  black  banner  is  unfurled : 
But  there  be  many  more  besides,  in  the  yacht  and  the  trader  and  tlie  fish- 
ing boat, 
In  the  feather'd  war-canoe,  and  the  quick  mysterious  gondola : 
And  the  armj^  of  that  Great  King  hath  no  stated  luiiform  ; 
Of  mingled  characters  and  kinds  goeth  ferth  the  countless  host ; 
There  is  the  turbaned  Damascene,  with  his  tattooed  Zealand  brother, 
There  the  slim  bather  in  the  Ganges,  with  the  sturdy  Russian  boor, 
The  sluggish  inmate  of  a  polar  cave,  with  the  fire-souled  daughter  of  Brazil, 
The  embruted  slave  from  Cuba,  and  the  Briton  of  gentle  birth. 
For  all  are  His  inheritance,  of  all  lie  taketh  tithe  : 
And  tiie  Church,  his  mercy's  ark,  hath  some  of  eveiy  sort. 
Who  art  thou.  O  man,  that  art  fLxing  the  limits  of  the  fold  ? 
Wherefore  settest  thou  stakes  to  spread  the  tent  of  heaven  ? 
Lay  not  the  plummet  to  the  line  :  religion  hath  no  landmarks  : 
No  human  keenness  can  discern  the  subtle  shades  of  faith  : 
In  some  it  is  as  earliest  dawn,  the  scarce  diluted  darlcness  ; 
In  some  as  dubious  twilight,  cold  and  gray  and  gloomy  ; 
In  some  the  ebon  east  is  streaked  with  flaming  gold  : 
In  some  the  dayspring  from  on  liigli  breaketh  in  all  its  praise. 
And  who  hath  determined  the  when,  separating  light  from  darkness  ? 
Who  shall  pluck  from  earliest  dawn  the  promise  of  the  day  ? 
Leave  that  care  to  the  Husbandman,  lest  thou  garner  tares  ; 
Help  thou  the  Shepherd  in  his  seeking,  but  to  separate  be  his  : 
For  I  have  often  seen  the  noble  erring  spirit 
Wrecked  on  the  shoals  of  passion,  and  numbered  of  the  lost ; 


OF  ESTIMATING  CHARACTER.  49 

Often  Uie  gfenerous  heart,  lit  by  unhallowed  fire, 

Counted  a  brand  among  the  burning,  and  left  uncared-for,  in  his  sin: 

Yet  I  waited  a  little  year,  and  the  mercy  thou  hadst  forgotten 

Hath  purged  that  noble  spirit,  washing  it  in  waters  of  repentance  ; 

That  glowing  generous  lieart,  having  burnt  out  all  its  dross, 

Is  as  a  golden  censer,  ready  for  the  aloes  and  cassia  : 

While  thou,  hard-\isaged  man,  unlovely  in  thy  strictness, 

Who  turned  from  him  thy  sympathies  with  self-complacent  pride, 

How  art  thou  shamed  by  him  !  his  heart  is  a  spring  of  love, 

Wliile  the  drj-  well  of  thine  affections  is  choked  with  secret  mammon. 

Sometimes  at  a  glance  thou  judgest  well :  years  could  add  Uttle  to  thv 

knowledge : 
When  charity  glowetii  on  tlie  cheek,  or  malice  is  lowering  in  the  eye, 
When  honesty's  open  brow,  or  the  weasel-face  of  cunning  is  before  tnee, 
Or  the  loose  lip  of  wantonness,  or  clear  bright  forehead  of  reflection. 
But  often,  by  shrewd  scrutiny,  thou  judgest  to  the  good  man's  harm : 
For  it  may  be  liis  hour  of  trial,  or  he  slumbereth  at  his  post, 
Or  he  hath  slain  Ins  foe,  but  not  yet  levelled  the  stronghold. 
Or  barely  recovered  of  the  wounds,  that  fleshed  him  in  his  fray  with  passion- 
Also,  of  the  worst,  through  prejudice,  thou  loosely  shalt  thinli  well : 
For  none  is  altogether  evil,  and  thou  mayst  catch  him  at  his  prayers. 
There  may  be  one  small  prize,  though  all  beside  be  blanks ; 
A  silver  thread  of  goodness  in  the  black  sergeclotli  of  crime. 

There  is  to  whom  all  things  are  easy  :  his  mind,  as  a  master-key, 
Can  open,  with  intuitive  address,  the  treasuries  of  art  and  science : 
There  is  to  whom  all  things  are  hard ;  but  industry  giveth  him  a  crow-bar. 
To  force,  with  groaning  laboin*,  the  stubborn  lock  of  learning:         • 
And  often  when  thou  lookest  on  an  eye,  dim  in  native  dulness, 
Little  shalt  thou  wot  of  the  wealth  diligence  hatli  gathered  to  its  gaze ; 
Often  the  brov,"  that  sliould  be  bright  w  ith  the  dormant  fire  of  gemus. 
Within  its  ample  halls,  hath  ignorance  the  tenant. 
Vet  are  not  tlie  sons  of  men  cast  as  in  moulds  by  the  lot  ? 
Tiie  like  in  frame  and  feature  hath  much  dike  in  spirit ; 
Such  a  shape  hath  such  a  soul,  so  that  a  deep  discerner 
From  his  make  will  read  the  man,  and  err  not  far  in  judgment : 
Yea,  and  it  holdeth  in  the  converse,  that  growing  similarity  of  mind 
Findetii  or  maketh  for  itself  an  apposite  dwelling  in  the  body : 

3 


so  PROVERBIAL  rillLOSOPHY. 

Accident  may  modify,  circumstance  may  bevil,  externals  seem  to  change  it, 

But  still  the  pnmitive  crystal  is  latent  in  its  many  variations  : 

For  the  map  of  the  i'acf^,  and  tho  picture  of  tiie  eye,  are  traced  by  the  pen 

of  jiassion ; 
And  the  mind  fashioneth  a  tabernacle  suitable  for  itself. 
A  mean  spirit  boweth  down  the  back,  and  the  bowing  fostereth  meanness ; 
A  resolute  purpose  knitteth  the  knees,  and  the  firm  tread  nourisheth 

decision ; 
Love  looketh  softly  from  the  eye.  and  kindleth  love  by  looking ; 
Hate  furroweth  the  brow,  and  a  man  may  frown  till  he  hateth : 
For  mind  and  body,  spirit  and  matter,  have  reciprocities  of  power, 
And  each  keepeth  up  the  strife  ;  a  man'^^  works  make  or  mar  him. 

There  bo  deeper  things  tlian  tliese,  lying  in  the  twilight  of  truth  ; 
But  few  can  discern  them  aright,  from  surroundinjj  dimness  of  error. 
For  perchance,  if  thou  knewest  the  whole,  and  largely  with  comprehensive 

mind 
Couldst  read  the  history  of  character,  the  chequered  story  of  a  life. 
And  into  the  great  account,  wliich  -iumnieth  a  mortaFs  destiny, 
Wert  to  add  the  forces  from  without,  dragging  him  this  way  and  that. 
And  the  secret  qualities  within,  gratted  on  tlie  soul  from  the  womb, 
And  the  might  of  other  men's  example,  among  whoni  his  lot  is  cast. 
And  the  influence  of  want,  or  wealth,  of  kindness,  or  harsh  ill-usage, 
Of  ignorance  he  cannot  help,  and  knowledge  found  for  him  by  others, 
And  first  impressions,  hard  to  be  effaced,  and  leadings  to  right  or  to  wrong 
And  inheritance  of  likeness  from  a  father,  and  natural  human  frailty, 
And  the  habit  of  health  or  disease,  and  prejudices  poured  into  his  mind. 
And  the  myriad  little  matters  none  but  Omniscience  can  know, 
And  accidents  that  steer  the  tlioujrhts,  where  none  but  Ubiquity  can  trace 

them ; — 
If  thou  couldst  compass  all  thest^.  and  the  consequents  flowing  from  them, 
And  the  scope  to  which  they  tend,  and  the  necessary  fitness  of  all  things, 
Then  shouldst  thou  see  as  He  seeth,  who  judgeth  all  men  equal, — 
Equal,  touching  innocence  and  guilt;  and  difTerent  alone  in  this, 
That  one  acknowledgetli  his  evil,  and  looketh  to  his  God  for  mercy ; 
Another  boasteth  of  his  good,  and  calleth  on  his  God  for  justice ; 
So  He,  that  sendeth  none  away,  is  largely  munificent  to  prayer, 
But,  in  tne  heail  of  presumption,  sheatheth  the  sword  of  vengeance. 


OF  HATRED  AND  ANGER.  Si 


OF    HATRED    AND    ANGER. 

Blctjted  unto  goodness  is  the  heart  which  anger  never  stirreth,  | 

But  that  which  hatred  swelleth,  is  keen  to  carve  out  enl. 

Anger  is  a  noble  infirmity,  the  generous  failing  of  the  just, 

The  one  degree  that  riseth  above  zeal,  asserting  the  prerogatives  of  virtue : 

But  hatred  is  a  slow  continuing  crime,  a  fire  in  the  bad  man's  brea«t, 

A  dull  and  hungry  flame,  for  ever  craving  insatiate. 

Hatred  would  harm  another  ;  anger  would  indulge  itself: 

Hatred  is  a  simmering  poison ;  anger,  the  opening  of  a  valve  : 

Hatred  destroyeth  as  the  upas-tre? ;  anger  t^miteth  a^  a  s^tafF: 

Hatred  is  the  atmosphere  of  hell ;  but  anger  is  known  in  heaven. 

Is  there  not  a  righteous  wrath,  an  anger  just  and  holy, 

When  goodness  is  sitting  in  the  dust,  and  wickedness  enthroned  on  Babel  ? 

Doth  pity  condemn  guilt  ? — is  justice  not  a  feeling  but  a  law 

Appealing  to  the  line  and  to  the  plummet,  incognizant  of  moral  sense  ? 

Thou  that  condemnest  anger,  small  is  thy  sympathy  with  angels ; 

Thou  that  hast  accounted  it  for  sin,  cold  is  thy  conununinn  with  heaven. 

Beware  of  the  angn,-  in  his  passiou ;  but  fear  not  to  approach  hin\  after- 
ward ; 

For  if  thou  acknowledge  thine  error,  he  himself  will  be  sorry  for  his  wrath : 

Beware  of  the  hater  in  his  coolness  ;  for  he  meditateth  evil  against  thee ; 

Commending  the  resources  of  his  mind  calmly  to  work  thy  ruin. 

Deceit  and  treacherj-  skulk  with  hatred,  but  an  honest  spirit  flifth  with 
anger : 

The  one  lieth  secret,  as  a  serpent ;  the  other  clias*th,  as  a  leopard. 

Speedily  be  reconciled  in  love,  and  receive  the  returning  oflender. 

For  wittingly  prolonging  anger,  thou  tarnperest  unconsciously  with  hatred. 

Patience  is  power  in  a  man,  ner\ing  him  to  rein  his  spirit : 

Passion  is  as  palsy  to  liLs  ann,  v.'hile  it  yelletli  on  the  coursers  to  their 
speed : 

Patience  keepeth  counsel,  and  standeth  in  solid  self-possession, 

But  the  weakness  of  sudden  passion  layeth  bare  the  secrets  of  the  soul. 

The  sentiment  of  anger  is  not  ill,  when  thou  lookest  on  the  iinpudence  of 
vice, 


M  PROVERniAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Or  savourest  the  breath  of  cahunii}',  or  hast  earned  the  hard  wages  of  in- 
justice, 

But  see  thou  that  thou  curb  it  in  expression,  rendering  the  mildness  of 
rebuke, 

So  shalt  thou  stand  without  reproach,  mailed  in  all  the  dignity  of  virtue. 


OF    GOOD    IN    THINGS   EVIL. 

I  HEARD  the  man  of  sin  reproaching  the  goodness  of  Jehovah, 
Wherefore,  if  he  be  Almighty  I^ove,  permitteth  he  misery  and  pain  ? 
I  saw  tjjc  child  of  hope  vexed  in  the  labyrinth  of  doubt, 
Wherefore,  O  holy  One  and  just,  is  the  horn  of  thy  foul  foe  so  high 

exalted  ? — 
And,  alas  !  for  this  our  groaning  world,  for  tliat  grief  and  guilt  are  here  ; 
Alas  !  for  that  Earth  is  the  battle-field,  where  good  must  combat  with  evil : 
Angels  look  on  and  hold  their  breath,  burning  to  mingle  in  the  conflict, 
But  the  troops  of  the  Captain  of  Salvation  may  be  none  but  the  soldiers  of 

the  cross : 
And  that  slender  band  must  fight  alone,  and  yet  shall  triumph  gloriously, 
Enough  shall  they  be  for  conquest,  and  the  motto  of  their  standard  is 

Enovgh. 
Thou  art  sad,  O  denizen  of  earth,  for  pains  and  diseases  and  death, 
But  remember,  thy  hand  hath  eanied  tliern  ;  grudge  not  at  the  wages  of  thy 

doings : 
Thy  guilt,  and  thy  fathers'  guilt,  must  bring  many  sorrows  in  their  company, 
And  if  thou  wilt  drink  sweet  poison,  doubtless  it  shall  rot  thee  to  the  core. 
Who  art  thou  but  the  heritor  of  evil,  with  a  right  to  nothing  good  ? 
The  respite  of  an  interval  of  ease  were  a  boon  which  Justice  might  deny 

tliee : 
Therefore  lay  thy  hand  up(jn  thy  moutli,  O  man  much  to  be  forgiven, 
And  wait,  thou  child  of  hope,  for  time  shall  teach  thee  all  things. 
Yet  hSar,  for  my  speech  shall  comtbrt  thee  ;  reverently,  but  with  boldness, 
I  would  raise  the  sable  curtain,  that  hideth  the  symmetry  of  Providence. 
Pain  and  sin  are  convicts,  and  toil  in  tlieir  fetters   for  good ; 
The  weapons  of  evil  are   turned  against  itself,   fighting  under  better 

banners: 


OF  GOOD  IN  THINGS  EVIL.  53 

The  leech  deHghteth  in  stinging,  and  the  wicked  lovetJi  to  do  harm, 
But  the  wise  Physician  of  the  universe  useth  that  ill  tendency  for  health. 
Verily  from  others'  griefs  arc  gendered  sympathy  and  kindness ; 
Patience,  humility,  and  foith,  spring  not  seldom  from  thine  own : 
An  enemy,  humbled  by  his  sorrows,  cannot  be  far  from  thy  forgiveness, 
A  iVicnd  who  hatli  tasted  of  calamity,  shall  fan  the  dying  incense  of  thy 

love : 
And  for  thyself,  is  it  a  small  thing,  so  to  learn  thy  frailty, 
That  from  an  aching  bone  thou  savest  the  whole  body  ? 
The  furnace  of  affliction  may  be  fierce,  but  if  it  refineth  thy  soul, 
The  good  of  one  meek  thought  shall  outweigh  years  of  torment. 
Nevertheless,  wretched  man,  if  thy  bad  heart  be  hardened  in  the  flame, 
Being  earth-born,  as  of  clay,  and  not  of  moulded  wax. 
Judge  not  the  hand  that  smiteth,  as  if  thou  wert  visited  in  wrath ; 
Reproach  thyself,  for  He  is  Justice  :  repent  thee,  for  He  is  Mercy. 

Cease,  fond  caviller  at  wisdom,  to  be  satisfied  that  every  thing  is  wTong : 

Be  sure  there  is  good  necessity,  e\en  for  the  flourishing  of  evil. 

Would  the  eye  dehght  in  perpetual  noon  ?  or  the  ear  in  imqualitied  har- 
monies ? 

Hath  v.'inter's  frost  no  welcome,  contrasting  sturdily  \\ifli  summer  ? 

Couldst  thou  discern  benevolence,  if  there  were  no  sorrows  to  be  soothed  ? 

Or  discover  the  resources  of  contrivance,  if  notliing  stood  opposed  to  tlie 
means  ? 

What  were  power  without  an  enemy  ?  or  mercy  witliout  an  object  ? 

Or  truth,  where  the  false  were  impossible  ?  or  love,  where  love  were  a 
debt? 

The  characters  of  God  were  but  idle,  if  all  things  around  him  were  per- 
fection, 

And  virtues  might  slumber  on  like  death,  if  tliey  lacked  tlie  opportunities 
of  e\'il. 

There  is  one  all-perfect,  ami  but  one ;  man  dare  not  reason  of  His  Essence. 

But  there  must  be  deficiencies  in  heaven,  to  leave  room  for  progression  in 
bliss : 

A  realm  of  unqualified  best  were  a  stagnant  pool  of  being, 

And  the  circle  of  absolute  perfection,  the  abstract  cipher  of  indolence. 

Sin  is  an  awful  shadow,  but  it  addeth  new  glories  to  the  light ; 

Sin  is  a  black  foil,  but  it  setteth  off  the  jewelry  of  heaven ; 

Sin  is  the  traitor  that  hath  dragged  tlie  majesty  of  mercy  into  action ; 


54  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Sin  is  the  whelming  argument,  to  justify  tlic  attribute  of  vengeance. 

It  is  a  deep  dark  thought,  and  needoth  to  be  dihgently  studied, 

But  perchance  evil  was  essential,  that  God  should  be  seen  of  his  creatures: 

For  where  perfection  is  not,  there  lacketh  possible  good, 

And  the  al)sence  of  better  that  might  be,  taketli  from  the  praise  of  it  is 

well : 
And  creatures  must  be  finite,  and  finite  cannot  be  perfect ; 
Therefore,  though  in  small  degree,  creation  involveth  evil, 
He  chargeth  his  angels  with  folly,  and  the  heavens  are  not  clean  in  Ilia 

sight : 
For  every  existence  in  the  un'verse  hath  either  imperfection  or  Godhead : 
And  the  light  that  blazeth  but  in  One,  nuist  be  softened  witli  shadow  for 

the  many. 
There  is  then  good  in  evil ;  or  none  could  have  known  his  Maker ; 
No  spii'itual  intellect  or  essence  could  have  gazed  on  his  high  perfections, 
No  angel  harps  could  have  tuned  the  wonders  of  Jiis  wisdom, 
No  ransomed  souls  have  praised  the  glories  of  his  mercy, 
No  howling  fiends  have  shown  the  terrors  of  his  justice, 
But  God  would  have  dwelt  alone  in  the  fearful  solitude  of  holiness. 

Nevertheless,  O  sinner,  harden  not  thine  heart  in  e^il ; 

Nor  plume  thee  in  imaginary  triumph,  because  tliou  art  not  valueless  as 

vile ; 
Because  thy  dark  abominations  add  lustre  to  the  clrarity  of  Liglit ; 
Because  a  wonder-working  alchemy  draineth  elixir  out  of  poisons ; 
Because  the  same  fiery  volcano  that  scorcheth  and  ravageth  a  continent, 
Hath  in  the  broad  blue  bay  cast  up  some  petty  island  ; 
Because  to  the  full  demonstration  of  the  qualities  and  accidents  of  good, 
The  swarthy  legions  of  the  devil  have  toiled  as  unwitting  pioneers : 
For  sin  is  still  sin ;  so  hateful  Love  doth  hate  it ; 
A  blot  on  the  glory  of  creation,  which  justice  must  wipe  out. 
Sin  is  a  loathsome  leprosy,  fretting  the  white  robe  of  innocence  ; 
A  rottenness,  eating  out  the  heart  of  the  royal  cedars  of  Lebanon  ; 
A  pestilential  blast,  tlic  terror  of  that  holy  pilgrimage  ; 
A  rent  in  the  sacred  veil,  whereby  God  left  his  temple. 
Therefore,  consider  thyself,  thou  that  dost  not  sorrow  for  thy  guilt : 
Fear  evil,  or  face  its  enemy :  dread  sin,  or  dare  justice. 

Yea,  saith  the  Spirit :  and  their  works  do  follow  them ; 


OF  GOOD  IN  THlNGt^  F.VIL,  55 

Habits,  and  thoughts,  and  deeds,  are  shadows  and  satelhtes  of  self. 

What  I  shall  the  claimant  to  a  throne  stand  forward  with  a  rabble  rout, — • 

Meanness,  impiety,  and  lust ;  riot  and  indolence  and  vanity  ? 

Nay,  man  !  the  train  wherewith  thou  comest  attend  whither  thou  shall  go  ; 

A  throne  for  a  king's  son,  but  an  inner  dungeon  for  the  felon. 

For  a  man's  works  do  follow  him  :  bodily,  standing  in  the  judgment, 

Behold  the  false  accuser,  behold  the  slandered  saint ; 

The  slave,  and  his  bloody  driver ;  the  poor,  and  his  generous  friend ; 

The  simple  dupe,  and  the  crafty  knave  :  tlie  murderer,  and — his  \'ictim  ! 

Yet  all  are  in  many  characters :  the  best  stand  guilty  at  the  bar ; 

And  lie  that  seemed  the  worst  may  have  most  of  real  e.xcuse. 

The  t<ilents  unto  which  a  man  is  bom,  be  they  few  or  many, 

Are  dropped  into  the  balance  of  account,  working  unlooked-for  changes, 

And  perchance  the  convict  from  the  galleys  may  stand  above  the  hermit 

from  his  cell, 
For  that  the  obstacles  in  one  outweigh  the  propensicms  in  the  other. 
There  be,   who  have   made    themselves    friends,   yea,  by   unrighteous 

mammon, — 
Friends,  ready  waiting  as  an  escort  to  those  everlasting  habitations ; 
Embodied  in  living  witnesses,  thronging  to  meet  them  in  a  cloud. 
Charity,  meekness  and  truth,  zeal,  sincerity  and  patience. 
There  be,  who  have  made  themselves  foes,  yea,  by  honest  g:iin. 
Foes,  whose   plaint   must   have  its  answer,  before  the  bright   portal  i« 

unbarred : 
Pride,  and  selfishness,  and  sloth,  apathy,  wrath,  and  falsehood, 
Bind  to  their  everlasting  toil  many  that  must  weary  in  the  fires. 
Love  hath  a  })ower  and  a  longing  to  save  the  gathered  world. 
And  rescue  universal  man  from  the  hunting  hell-hounds  of  his  doings: 
Yet  few,  here  one  and  there  one,  scanty  as  the  gleaning  after  harvest, 
Are  glad  of  the  robes  of  praise  which  Mercy  would  fling  around  the 

naked ; 
But  wrapping  closer  to  their  skin  the  poisoned  tunic  of  their  works, 
They  stand  in  self-dependence  to  perish  in  abandonment  of  God. 


56  PtlOVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 


OF    PRAYER. 

A  WICKED  man  scorneth  prayer,  in  tho  shallow  sophistry  of  reason, 
He  deridetli  the  silly  hope,  that  God  can  be  moved  by  supphcation: — 
Can  tlie  unchangeable  be  changed,  or  waver  in  his  purpose  ? 
Can  the  weakness  of  pity  alfect  him  ?     Should  he  turn  at  the  bidding  of  a 

man? 
Methought  he  ruled  all  things,  and  3'e  called  his  decrees  immutable, 
But  if  thus  he  listeneth  to  words,  wherein  is  the  firmness  of  iiis  will  ? — 
So  I  heard  the  speech  of  the  wicked,  and,  lo,  it  was  smoother  than  oil ; 
But  I  Imew  that  his  reasonings  were  false,  for  the  promise  of  the  Scriptm-e 

is  trne : 
Yet  was  my  soul  in  darkness,  for  his  words  were  too  hard  for  me ; 
Till  I  turned  to  my  God  in  prayer,  for  I  know  he  heareth  always. 
Then  I  looked  abroad  on  the  earth,  and,  behold,  the  Lord  was  in  all  things, 
Yet  saw  I  not  his  hand  in  aught,  but  perceived  that  he  worketh  by  means  ; 
Yea,  and  the  power  of  the  mean  proveth  the  wisdom  that  ordained  it ; 
Yea,  and  no  act  is  useless,  to  the  hurling  of  a  stone  through  the  air. 
So  I  turned  my  thoughts  to  supplication,  and  beheld  the  mercies  of  Je- 
hovah, 
And  I  saw  sound  argument  was  still  the  faithful  friend  of  godliness ; 
For  as  the  rock  of  the  affections  is  the  solid  approval  of  reason, 
Even  so  the  temple  of  Religion  is  founded  on  the  basis  of  Philosophy. 

Scorner,  thy  thoughts  are  weak,  they  reach  not  the  summit  of  the  matter. 
Go  to,  for  the  mouth  of  a  child  might  sliow  thee  the  mystery  of  prayer : 
Verily,  there  is  no  change  in  the  counsels  of  the  Mighty  Ruler : 
Verily,  his  purpose  is  strong,  and  rooted  in  the  depths  of  necessity : 
But  who  hath  shown  thee  liis  purpose,  who  hatli  made  known  to  thee  liis 

will  ? 
Wlien,  O  gainsayer,  hast  thou  been  schooled  in  the  secrets  of  wisdom  ? 
Fate  is  a  creature  of  God,  and  all  things  move  in  their  orbits. 
And  tliat  which  shall  surely  happen  is  known  unto  him  from  eternity  ; 
But  as,  m  the  field  of  nature,  he  useth  the  sinews  of  the  ox,  * 

And  commandeth  diligence  and  toil,  himself  gi\  ing  the  increase. 
So,  in  the  kingdom  of  his  grace,  granteth  he  omnipotence  to  prayer, 
For  he  knoweth  what  thou  wilt  ask,  and  what  thou  wilt  ask  arififht 


OF  PRAYER.  57 

No  man  can  pray  in  faith,  whose  prayer  is  not  grounded  on  a  promise : 
Yet  a  good  man  commendeth  all  things  to  the  righteous  wisdom  of  his  God: 
For  those  who  pray  in  faith,  trust  the  immutable  Jehovah, 
And  they  who  ask  blessings  unpromised.  lean  on  uncovenanted  mercy. 

Tvlan,  regard  thy  prayers  as  a  purpose  of  love  to  thy  soul  : 
Esteem  the  providence  that  led  to  them  as  an  index  of  God's  good-will : 
So  shalt  thou  pray  aright,  and  thy  words  shall  meet  with  acceptance. 
Also,  in  pleading  for  others,  be  tlumkful  for  the  fullness  of  thy  prayer. 
For  if  thou  art  ready  to  ask,  the  Lord  is  more  ready  to  bestow. 
The  salt  preserveth  the  sea,  and  the  saints  uphold  the  earth  ; 
Their  prayers  are  the  thousand  pillars  that  prop  the  canopy  of  nature. 
Verily,  an  hour  without  prayer,  from  some  ten^estrial  mind, 
Were  a  curse  in  the  calendar  of  time,  a  spot  of  the  blackness  of  darkness. 
Perchance  the  terrible  day.  when  the  world  must  rock  into  ruins, 
Will  be  one  u.nwiiitened  by  prayer. — shall  He  find  faith  on  the  earth  ? 
For  there  is  an  economy  of  merc^^  as  of  wisdom,  and  povrer,  and  means; 
Neitlier  is  one  blessing  granted,  imbesought  from  the  treasury  of  good ; 
And  the  chantable  heart  of  the  Being,  to  depend  upon  whom  is  happiness, 
Never  withholdeth  a  bounty,  so  long  as  his  subject  prayeth  ; 
Yea,  ask  what  thou  wilt,  to  the  second  throne  in  heaven, 
It  is  thine,  for  whom  it  was  appointed ;  there  is  no  limit  unto  prayer : 
But  and  if  thou  cease  to  ask,  tremble,  thou  self-suspended  creature, 
For  thy  strength  is  cut  off  as  was  Samson's :  and  the  hour  of  thy  doom  is 
com.o. 

Frail  art  thou,  O  man,  as  a  bubble  on  tlie  breaker. 
Weak  and  governed  by  externals,  like  a  poor  bird  caught  in  tlie  storm ; 
Yet  thy  momentarj'  breath  can  still  the  raging  waters, 
Thy  hand  can  touch  a  lever  that  may  move  the  world. 
O  Merciful,  we  strike  eternal  covenant  with  thee, 
For  man  may  take  for  his  ally  tlie  King  who  mleth  kings  ; 
How  strtmg,  yet  how  most  weak,  in  utter  poverty  how  rich, 
^\^lat  possible  omnipotence  to  good  is  donnant  in  a  man  I 
Behold  tliat  fragile  form  of  delicate  transparent  beautv. 
Whose  light-blue  eye  and  hectic  cheek  are  lit  by  the  balefires  of  decline, 
All  droopingly  she  lieth,  as  a  dew-laden  hly. 

Her  flaxen  tresses,  raslily  luxuriant,  dank  with  unhealthy  moisture : 
Hath  not  thy  heart  said  of  her,  Alas  !  poor  child  of  weaJuiess  ? 

3* 


58  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Thou  hast  erred ;  Goliath  of  Gatli  stood  not  in  half  lier  strength  : 
Terribly  she  fisjhteth  in  the  van  as  the  virjrin  daujjfhter  of  Orleans, 
She  bearctli  the  bannf^r  of  heaven,  her  onset  is  the  rushing  cataract. 
Seraphim  rally  at  her  side,  and  the  captain  of  that  host  is  GikI, 
And  the  serried  ranks  of  evil  are  routed  by  the  liglitning  of  her  eye  ; 
She  is  the  King's  remembrancer,  juid  steward  of  many  blessings, 
Holding  the  buckler  of  security  over  her  unthankful  land ; 
For  that  weak  fluttering  heart  is  strong  in  faith  assured, 
Dependence  is  her  might,  and  behold — she  prayeth. 

Angels  are  round  the  good  man,  to  catch  the  incense  of  his  prayers, 

And  tliey  fly  to  minister  kindness  to  those  for  whom  he  pleadeth  ; 

For  the  altar  of  his  heart  is  lighted,  and  burneth  before  God  continually, 

And  he  breatheth,  conscious  of  liis  joy,  the  native  atmosphere  of  heaven ; 

Yea,  though  poor,  and  comtemned,  and  ignorant  of  this  world's  wisdom  ; 

111  can  his  fellows  spare  him,  though  they  know  not  of  his  value ; 

Thousands  bewail  a  hero,  and  a  nation  mourneth  for  its  king, 

But  the  wliole  universe  lamenteth  tlic  loss  of  a  man  of  prayer. 

Verily,  were  it  not  for  One,  who  sitteth  on  his  rightful  throne. 

Crowned  with  a  rainbow  of  emerald,  ('^)  the  green  memorial  of  earth, — 

For  one,  a  mediating  man,  tliat  hath  clad  his  Godhead  with  mortality, 

And  offereth  prayer  without  ceasing,  the  royal  priest  of  Nature, 

I^Iatter  and  life  and  mind  had  simk  into  dark  annihilation, 

And  the  lightning  frown  of  Justice  withered  the  world  into  nothing. 

Thus,  O  worshipper  of  reason,  thou   hast  heard  ths  sum  of  the  matter ; 

And  woe  to  his  hairy  scalp  that  restraineth  prayer  before  God. 

Prayer  is  a  creature's  strength,  his  very  breath  and  being ; 

Prayer  is  the  golden  key  that  can  open  the  wicket  of  Mercy ; 

Prayer  is  the  magic  sound  that  saith  to  Fate,  So  be  it ; 

Prayer  is  tlic  slender  nerve  that  moveth  the  muscles  of  Omnipotence. 

Wherefore,  pray,  O  creature,  for  -many  and  gTcat  are  thv  wants  ; 

Thy  mind,  thy  conscience,  and  thy  being,  thy  rights  commend  thee  unto 

prayer, 
The  cure  of  all  cares,  the  grand  panacea  for  all  pains, 
Doubt's  destroyer,  ruin's  remedy,  the  antidote  to  all  anxieties. 

So  then,  God  is  true,  and  yet  He  hath  not  changed  : 

It  is  he  that  sendeth  the  petition,  to  answer  it  according  to  his  will. 


THE  LORD'S  PRAYER.  59 


THE    LORD'S    PRAYER. 

In'Quirest  thou,  O  man,  wlierewithal  may  I  come  unto  the  Lord  ? 

And  with  what  wonder-working  sounds  may  I  move  the  majesty  of  heaven  7 

There  is  a  model  to  thy  hand  ;  upon  that  do  thou  frame  thy  supplication ; 

Wisdom  hath  measured  its  words,  and  redemption  urg-eth  tliee  to  use  them. 

Call  th}'  God  thy  Father,  and  yet  not  thine  alone, 

For  thou  art  but  one  of  many,  thy  brotlierhood  is  with  all : 

Remember  his  high  estate,  that  ho  dwelleth  King  of  Heaven ; 

80  shall  thy  thoughts  be  humbled,  nor  love  be  unmixed  with  reverence  : 

Be  thy  first  petition  unsolflsh,  the  honour  of  Him  who  made  thee, 

And  that  in  the  depths  of  thy  heart  his  memory  be  shrined  in  holiness  : 

Pray  for  that  blessed  time  when  good  shall  triumph  over  evil, 

And  one  uni^'ersal  temple  echo  the  perfections  of  Jehovah : 

Bend  thou  to  his  good-will,  and  subserve  his  holy  purposes, 

Till  in  thee,  and  those  around  thee,  grow  a  little  heaven  upon  earth : 

Humbly  as  a  grateful  almsman,  beg  thy  bread  of  God, — 

Bread  for  thy  triple  estate,  for  thou  hast  a  trinity  of  nature  : 

Humility  sniootheth  the  way,  and  gratitude  softeneth  the  heart. 

Be  then  thy  prayer  for  pardon  mingled  with  the  tear  of  penitence  ; 

Yea,  and  while,  all  unworthy,  thou  leanest  on  the  hand  that  should  smite, 

Thou  canst  not  from  thy  fellows  withhold  thy  less  forgiveness. 

To  thy  Father  thy  wefilinesses  are  known,  and  thou  hast  not  hid  thy  sin, 

Therefore  ask  him,  in  all  trust,  to  lead  thee  from  the  dangers  of  temptation  ; 

While  the  last  petition  of  the  soul  that  breatheth  on  the  confines  of  prayer 

Is  deliverance  from  sin  and  the  evil  one.  the  miseries  of  earth  and  hell. 

And  wherefore,  child  of  hope,  should  the  rock  of  thy  confidence  be  sure  ? 

Tiiou  knowest  that  God  heareth,  and  promiseth  an  answer  of  peace  ; 

Thou  knowest  that  he  is  King,  and  none  can  stay  his  hand ; 

Thou  knowest  his  power  to  be  boundless,  for  there  is  none  other  : 

And  to  Him  thou  givest  glory,  as  a  creature  "f  his  workmanship  jind  favour, 

For  the  never-ending  term  of  thy  saved  and  bright  e.xistence. 


60  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 


OF    DISCRETION. 

For  what  then  was  I  born  ? — to  fill  the  circling  year 

With  daily  toil  for  daily  bread,  with  f^ordid  pains  and  pleasures  ? — 

To  walk  this  chequered  world,  alternate  light  and  darkness, 

The  day  dreams  of  deep  thought  followed  by  the  night-dreams  of  fancy  ?— 

To  be  one  in  a  full  procession  ?— to  dig  my  kindred  clay? — 

To  decorate  the  gallery  of  art  ? — to  clear  a  few  acres  of  forest  ? 

For  more  than  these,  my  soul,  tliy  God  hath  lent  thee  life. 

Is  then  that  noble  end  to  feed  this  mind  with  knov/ledge, 

To  mix  for  mine  own  tliirst  the  sparkling  wine  of  wisdom, 

To  light  with  many  lamps  the  caverns  of  my  heart. 

To  reap,  in  the  furrows  of  my  brain,  good  harvest  of  right  reasons  ? — 

For  more  than  these,  my  soul,  tliy  God  hatli  lent  thee  life. 

Is  it  to  grow  stronger  in  self-govenmient,  to  check  tlie  chafing  will, 

To  curb  with  tightening  rein  the  mettled  steeds  of  passion, 

To  welcome  with  calm  heart,  far  in  the  voiceless  desert, 

The  gracious  visitings  of  heaven  that  bless  my  single  self? 

For  more  than  these,  my  soul,  thy  God  hath  lent  thee  life. 

To  aim  at  thine  own  happiness,  is  an  end  idolatrous  and  evil : 

In  earth,  yea  in  heaven,  if  thou  seek  it  for  itself,  seeking  thou  shalt  not  find. 

Happiness  is  a  roadside  fiower,  growing  on  the  highways  of  Usefulness ; 

Plucked,  it  shall  wither  in  thy  hand  ;  passed  by.  it  is  fragrance  to  thy  spirit; 

Love  not  thine  own  soul,  regard  not  thine  own  weal, 

Trample  the  thyme  beneath  thy  feet ;  be  useful,  and  be  happy ! 

Thus  unto  fair  conclusions  argueth  generous  youth, 

And  quickly  he  starteth  on  his  course,  knight-errant  to  do  good. 

His  sword  is  edged  with  arguments,  his  vizor  terrible  with  censures ; 

He  gooth  full  mailed  in  i'aith,  and  zeal  is  llauiing  at  his  heart. 

Yet  one  thing  he  lackeih,  tho  Mentor  of  the  mind. 

The  quiet  whisper  of  Discretion — Thy  time  is  not  yet  come. 

For  he  smiteth  an  oppressor ;  and  vengeance  for  that  smiting 

Is  dealt  in  double  stripes  on  the  faint  body  of  the  victim  : 

He  is  glad  to  give  and  to  distribute ;  and  clamorous  pauperism  feastetli, 

While  honest  labour,  pining,  liideth  his  sharp  ribs  : 

He  challengeth  to  a  fair  field  that  subtle  giant  Infidelity, 


OF  DISCRETION.  «1 

And  worsted  in  the  unequal  fight,  strengthenetli  the  hands  of  error : 

He  hasteth  to  teach  and  preach,  as  the  war-liorse  rusheth  to  tlie  battle, 

And  to  pave  a  way  for  truth,  would  break  up  the  Apennines  of  prejudice : 

He  wearietli  by  stale  proofs,  where  none  looked  for  a  reason, 

And  to  tlie  listening  ear  will  urge  tiie  false  argument  of  feeling. 

So  hath  it  often  been,  that,  judging  by  resute. 

The  hottest  friends  of  truth  have  done  her  deadliest  wrong. 

Aliis !  for  there  are  enemies  without,  glad  enough  to  parley  with  a  traitor, 

And  a  zealot  will  let  down  the  drawbridge,  to  prove  his  own  prowess : 

Yea,  from  within  will  he  break  away  a  breach  in  the  citadel  of  truth 

That  he  may  fill  the  gap,  for  fame,  with  his  own  weak  body. 

Zeal  without  judgment  is  an  evil,  though  it  be  zeal  unto  good : 
Touch  not  the  ark  with  unclean  hand,  yea,  though  it  seem  to  totter. 
There  are  evil  who  work  good,  and  there  are  good  v.ho  work  evil. 
And  foolish  backers  of  wisdom  have  brought  on  her  many  reproaches. 
Truth  hath  more  than  enough  to  combat  in  the  minds  of  all  men. 
For  the  mist  of  sense  is  a  thick  veil,  and  sin  hath  warped  their  wills ; 
Yet  doth  an  officious  helper  awkwardly  prevent  her  victory, — 
These  thy  wounded  hands  were  smitten  in  the  house  of  friends : — 
To  point  out  a  meaning  in  her  words,  he  will  blot  those  words  \vith  his 

finger ; 
And  winnow  chaflFinto  tlie  eyes,  before  lie  hath  wheat  to  show : 
He  will  heap  sturdy  logs  on  a  faint  expiring  fire. 
And  with  a  room  in  flames,  will  cast  the  casement  open  ; 
By  a  shoulder  to  the  wheel  downhill  harasseth  tlie  labouring  beast, 
And  where  obstruction  were  needed,  will  harm  by  an  ill-judged  thrusting-on. 
A  vessel  foundereth  at  sea,  if  a  storm  have  unshipped  the  rudder ; 
And  a  rnind  with  much  sail  shall  require  heavy  ballast. 
Take  a  lever  by  the  middle,  thou  shalt  seem  to  prove  it  powerless, 
Argue  for  truth  indiscreetly,  thou  slialt  toil  for  falsehood. 
There  is  plenty  of  room  for  a  peaceable  man  in  the  most  thronged  assembly; 
But  a  quarrelsome  spirit  is  straitened  in  the  open  field : 
Many  a  teacher,  lacking  judgment,  liindereth  his  own  lessons  ; 
And  the  savoury  mess  of  pottage  is  spoiled  by  a  letter  herb :  ! 

The  garment  woven  of  a  piece  is  raslily  torn  by  schism,  I 

Because  its  unwise  claimants  will  not  cast  lots  for  its  possession. 

Discretion  guide  thee  on  thy  way,  noble-minded  youth, 


62  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Help  thee  to  humour  infirmities,  to  wink  at  innocent  errors, 

To  tiike  small  count  of  forms,  to  bear  witli  prejudice  and  fancy : 

Discretion  guard  thine  asking,  discretion  aid  thine  answer, 

Teach  thee  that  well-timed  silence  hath  more  eloquence  than  speech, 

Whisper  thee,  thou  art  Weakness,  though  t/iy  cause  be  strength, 

And  tell  thee,  the  keystone  of  an  arch  c<in  be  loosened  with  least  labour 

from  witiiin. 
The  snows  of  Ilecla  lie  around  its  troubled  smoking  Geysers; 
Ijet  the  cool  streams  of  prudence  temper  the  hot  spring  of  ze;d  : 
So  sludt  thou  gain  thine  honourable  end,  nor  lose  the  midway  prize ; 
So  shall  tliy  life  be  useful,  and  thy  young  heart  happy. 


OF    TRIFLES. 

Yet  once  more,  saith  the  fool,  yet  once,  and  is  it  not  a  little  one  ? 
Spare  me  this  folly  yet  an  hour,  for  what  is  one  among  so  many  ? 
And  he  blindeth  his  conscience  with  lies,  and  stupefieth  his  heart  with 

doubts ; — 
Whom  shall  I  hann  in  this  matter  ?  and  a  little  ill  breedeth  miich  good ; 
My  thouglitii,  are  they  not  mine  own  ?  and  they  leave  no  mark  behind  tliem  ; 
And  if  God  so  pardoneth  crime,  how  should  these  petty  sins  affect  him  ? — 
So  he  transgresseth  yet  again,  and  falleth  by  little  and  little, 
Till  the  ground  crumble  beneath  him,  and  he  sinketh  in  the  gulf  despairing. 
For  there  is  nothing  in  the  earth  so  small  that  it  may  not  produce  great 

things, 
And  no  swerving  from  a  right  line,  that  may  not  lead  eternally  astray. 
A  landmark  tree  was  once  a  seed,  and  the  dust  in  the  balance  maketh  a 

difference ; 
And  the  cairn  is  heaped  high  by  each  one  flinging  a  pebble  : 
The  dangerous  bar  in  the  harbour's  moutli  is  only  grains  of  sand ; 
And  the  shoal  that  hath  wrecked  a  navy  is  the  work  of  a  colony  of  worms : 
Yea,  and  a  despicable  gnat  may  madden  the  mighty  elephant  *, 
And  the  living  rock  is  worn  by  the  diligent  flow  of  the  brook. 
Little  art  thou,  O  man,  and  in  trifles  tliou  contendest  with  thine  equals, 
For  atoms  must  crowd  upon  atoms,  ere  crime  groweth  to  be  a  giant. 


OF  TRIFLES.  63 

What,  is  thy  servant  a  dog  ? — not  yet  wilt  thou  grasp  the  dagger, 

Not  yet  wilt  thou  laugh  with  the  scoffers,  not  yet  betray  the  innocent : 

But,  if  thou  nourisli  in  thy  heart  the  reveries  of  injury  or  passion, 

And  travel  in  mental  heat  the  mazy  labyrintlis  of  guilt, 

And  then  conceive  it  possible,  and  then  reflect  on  it  as  done, 

And  use,  by  little  and  little,  thyself  to  regard  thyself  a  villain, 

Not  long  will  crime  be  absent  from  the  voice  that  doth  invoke  him  to  thy 

heart. 
And  bitterly  wilt  thou  grieve,  that  the  buds  have  ripened  into  poison. 

A  spark  is  a  molecule  of  matter,  yet  it  may  kindle  the  world ; 

Vast  is  the  mighty  ocean,  but  drops  have  made  it  vast. 

Despise  not  tlKJU  a  small  thing,  eitlier  for  evil  or  for  good ; 

For  a  look  may  work  thy  ruin,  or  a  word  create  thy  wealth  : 

The  walking  this  way  or  that,  the  casual  stopping  or  hastening, 

Hath  saved  life,  and  destroyed  it,  hath  cast  down  and  built  up  fortunes. 

Commit  thy  trifles  unto  God,  for  to  him  is  nothing  trivial ; 

And  it  is  but  the  littleness  of  man  that  seeth  no  greatness  in  a  trifle. 

All  things  are  infinite  in  parts,  and  the  moral  is  as  the  material, 

Neither  is  any  tiling  vast,  but  it  is  compacted  of  atoms. 

Thou  art  wise,  and  shalt  find  comfort,  if  thou  study  thy  pleasure  in  trifles, 

For  slender  joys,  often  repeated,  fall  as  sunshine  on  the  heart : 

Thou  art  wise,  if  ihou  beat  off  petty  troubles,  nor  suffer  their  stinging  to 

fret  thee  : 
Thrust  not  thine  hand  among  the  thorns,  but  with  a  leathern  glove. 
Regard  nothing  lightly  which  the  wisdom  of  Providence  hath  ordered  ; 
And  therefore,  consider  all  things  that  happen  unto  tliee  or  unto  others. 
The  warrior  that  stood  against  a  host,  may  be  pierced  unto  death  by  a 

needle ; 
And  the  saint  that  feareth  not  the  fire,  may  perish  the  victim  of  a  thought. 
A  mote  in  the  gunner's  eye  is  as  bad  as  a  spike  in  the  gun  > 
And  the  cable  of  a  furlong  is  lost  through  an  ill-wrought  inch. 
The  streams  of  small  pleasures  fill  the  lake  of  happiness  : 
And  the  deepest  wretchedness  of  life  is  continuance  of  petty  pains. 
A  fool  obsen'eth  nothing,  and  seemeth  wise  unto  himself ; 
A  wise  man  heedeth  all  things,  and  in  his  own  eyes  is  a  fool : 
He  that  wonuereth  at  nothing  hath  no  capabilities  of  bliss  ; 
But  he  that  scrutinizeth  trifles  hath  a  store  of  pleasure  to  his  hand. 
If  pestilence  stalk  through  the  land,  ye  say,  This  is  God's  doing ; 


64  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Is  it  not  also  His  doin^,  when  an  apliis  crcepetli  on  a  rose-bud  ? — 

If  an  avalanche  roll  from  its  Alp,  ye  tremble  at  the  will  of  Providence ; 

Is  not  that  will  concerned  when  the  sear  leaves  fall  from  the  poplar  ? — 

A  thing  is  great  or  little  only  to  a  mortal's  thinking, 

But  abstracted  from  the  body,  all  things  are  alike  important : 

The  Ancient  of  Days  noteth  in  his  book  the  idle  converse  of  a  creature 

And  happy  and  wise  is  the  mtin  to  whose  thought  existeth  not  a  trifle. 


OF    RECREATION. 

To  join  advantage  to  amusement,  to  gather  profit  witli  pleasure, 

Is  the  wise  man's  necessary  aim,  when  he  lieth  in  the  shade  of  recre 

ation, 
For  he  cannot  fling  aside  his  mind,  nor  bar  up  the  floodgates  of  his  wisdom  ; 
Yea,  though  he  strain  after  folly,  his  mental  monitor  shall  check  him  : 
For  knowledge  and  ignorance  alike  have  laws  essential  to  their  being, — 
The  sage  studietli  amusements,  and  the  simple  laugheth  in  his  studies. 
Few,  but  full  of  understanding,  are  the  books  of  the  library  of  God, 
And  fitting  for  all  seasons  are  the  g;iin  and  the  gladness  they  bestow : 
The  volume  of  mystery  and  Grace,  for  the  hour  of  deep  communings. 
When  the  soul  considereth  intensely  the  startling  marvel  of  itself; 
The  book  of  destiny  and  Providence  for  the  tiiue  of  sober  study, 
When  the  mind  gleanetli  wisdom  from  the  olive  grove  of  history : 
An.d  the  cheerful  pages  of  Nature,  to  gladden  the  pleasant  holiday. 
When  the  task  of  duty  is  complete,  and  the  heart  swelleth  high  with  sat- 
isfaction. 
The  soul  may  not  safely  dwell  too  long  with  the  deep  things  of  futurity  ; 
ThQ  mind  mav  not  alwavs  be  bent  back,  like  the  Parthian,  straining  at  the 

pastiC") 
And,  if  thou  art  wearied  with  wrestling  on  the  broad  arena  of  science, 
Leave  awhile  thy  friendly  foe,  half  vanquished  in  the  dust, 
Refresh  thy  jaded  limbs,  return  with  vigour  to  the  strife, — 
Thou  shalt  easier  find  thyself  his  master,  for  the  vacant  interval  of  leisure. 

That  which  may  profit  and  amuse  b  gathered  from  the  volume  of  creation. 


OF  RECREATION.  65 

For  every  chapter  therein  teemeth  with  the  playfulness  of  wisdom. 

The  elements  of  all  things  are  tlie  s-ame,  though  nature  hath  mixed  them 

with  a  difference, 
And  Learning  delighteth  to  discover  the  affinity  of  seeming  opposites  : 
So  out  of  great  things  and  small  draweth  he  the  secrets  of  the  universe, 
And  argueth  the  cycles  of  the  stars,  from  a  pebble  flung  by  a  a  child. 
It  is  pleasant  to  note  all  plants,  from  the  rush  to  the  spreading  cedar, 
From  the  giant  king  of  palms,  (")  to  the  lichen  that  staineth  its  stem : 
To  watch  the  workings  of  instinct,  that  grosser  reason  of  brutes, — 
The  river-horse  browsing  in  tlie  jungle,  the  plover  screaming  on  the 

moor. 
The  cayman,  basking  on  a  mud-bank,  and  the  walrus   anchored  to  an 

iceberg, 
The  dog  at  his  master's  feet,  and  the  milk-kine  lowing  in  the  meadow; 
To  trace  the  consummate  skill  that  hath  modelled  the  anatomy  of  insects, 
Small  fowls  that  sun  their  wings  on  the  petals  of  wild  flowers  ; 
To  learn  a  use  in  the  beetle,  and  more  than  a  beauty  in  the  butterfly ; 
To  recognize  affection  in  a  moth,  and  look  with  admiration  on  a  spider. 
It  is  glorious  to  gaze  upon  the  firmament,  and  see  from  far  the  mansions 

of  the  blest. 
Each  distant  shining  v.-orld,  a  kingdom  for  one  of  the  redeemed ; 
To  read  tlie  antique  history  of  earth,  stamped  upon  those  medals  in  the 

rocks 
Which  Design  hath  rescued  from  decay,  to  tell  of  the  green  infancy  of 

time ; 
To  gather  from  the  unconsidered  shingle  mottled  star-like  agates, 
Full  of  unstoried  flowers  in  tlie  bubbling  bloom-clialcedony : 
Or  gay  and  curious  shells,  fretted  with  microscopic  caning, 
Corallines,  and  fresh  seaweeds,  spreading  forth  their  delicate  branches. 
It  is  an  admirable  lore,  to  learn  the  cause  in  the  change. 
To  study  the  chemistry  of  Nature,  her  grand,  but  simple  secrets. 
To  search  out  all  her  wonders,  to  track  tlie  resources  of  her  skill, 
To  note  her  kind  compensations,  her  unobtrusive  excellence. 
In  all  it  is  wise  happiness  to  see  the  well-ordained  laws  of  Jehovali, 
The  harmony  that  filleth  all  his  mind,  the  justice  that   tempercth  his 

bounty, 
The  wonderful  all-prevalent  analogy  tliat  testifietli  one  Creator, 
The  broad  arrow  of  the  Great  King,  carved  on  .all  tiie  stores  of  his  arsenaL 
But  beware,  O  worshipper  of  God,  tiiou  forget  not  him  in  his  dealings, 


66  FROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Though  the  bright  emanations  of  his  power  hide  him  in  created  glory ; 
For  if,  on  the  sea  of  knowledge,  thou  regardest  not  the  pole-star  of  reli- 
gion. 
Thy  bark  will  miss  her  port,  and  run  upon  the  sandbar  of  folly : 
And  if,  enamoured  of  the  mesms,  thou  considerest  not  the  scope  to  whicli 

they  tend, 
Wherein  art  thou  wiser  tlian  the  child,  that  is  pleased  with  toys  and 

baubles  ? 
Verily,  a  trifling  scholar,  thou  heedest  but  the  letter  of  instruction  : 
For  as  motive  is  spirit  unto  action,  as  memory  endeareth  place. 
As  the  sun  doth  fertilize  the  earth,  as  affection  quickeneth  the  heart, 
So  is  the  remembrance  of  God  in  the  varied  wonders  of  creation. 

Man  hath  found  out  inventions,  to  cheat  him  of  the  weariness  of  life. 

To  help  him  to  forget  realities,  and  hide  the  misery  of  guilt. 

For  love  of  praise,  and  hope  of  gain,  for  passion  and  delusive  happiness, 

He  joineth  the  circle  of  folly,  and  heapeth  on  the  fire  of  excitement ; 

Oftentimes  sadly  out  of  heart  at  the  tiresome  insipidity  of  pleasure. 

Oftentimes  labouring  in  vain,  convinced  of  the  palpable  deceit ; 

Yet  a  man  speaketh  to  his  brother,  in  the  voice  of  glad  congratulation, 

And  thinketh  others  happy,  thotigh  he  himself  be  wretched : 

And  hand  joineth  hand  to  help  in  the  toil  of  amusement, 

VV'hile  the  secret  acliing  heart  is  vacant  of  all  but  disappointment. 

The  cheapest  pleasures  are  the  best ;  and  nothing  is  more  costly  than  sin ; 

Yet  we  mortgage  futurity,  counting  it  but  little  loss ; 

Neither  can  a  man  delight  in  that  which  breedeth  sorrow. 

Yet  do  we  hunt  for  joy  even  in  the  fires  that  consume  it. 

Whoso  would  lind  gladness  may  meet  her  in  the  hovel  of  poverty, 

Where  benevolence  hath  scattered  around  tlie  gleanings  of  the  horn  of 

plenty ; 
Whoso  would  sun  himself  in  peace,  may  be  seen  of  her  in  deeds  of  mercy. 
When  the  pale  lean  cheek  of  tiie  destitute  is  wet  with  grateful  tears. 
If  the  mind  is  wearied  by  study,  or  the  body  worn  with  sickness. 
It  is  well  to  lie  fallow  for  a  while,  in  the  vacancy  of  sheer  amusement ; 
But  when  thou  prosperest  in  health,  and  thine  intellect  can  soar  untired, 
To  seek  uninstructive  pleasure  is  to  slumber  on  tlie  couch  of  indolence. 


TIIE  TRAIN  OF  RELIGION.  (ft 


THE    TRAIN    OF    RELIGION. 

Stay  awhile,  thou  blessed  band,  be  entreated,  daughters  of  heaven ! 
While  the  chance-met  scholar  of  Wisdom  learneth  your  sacred  names  : 
He  is  resting  a  little  from  his  toil,  yet  a  little  on  the  borders  of  earth, 
And  fain  would  he  have  you  his  friends,  to  bid  him  glad  welcome  hereafter. 
Who  among  the  glorious  art  thou,  that  walkest  a  Goddess  and  a  Queen, 
Thy  crown  of  living  stars,  and  a  golden  cross  thy  sceptre  ? 
Who  among  Howers  of  loveliness  is  she,  thy  seeming  herald, 
Yet  she  boasteth  not  thee  nor  herself,  and  her  garments  are  plain  in  their . 

neatness  ? 
Wherefore  is  there  one  amon^  the  train,  whose  eyes  are  red  with  weeping, 
Yet  is  her  open  forehead  beaming  with  the  sun  of  ecstii.sy  ? 
And  who  is  that  blood-stained  warrior,  with  glor\'  sitting  on  his  crest  ? 
And  wlio  that  solemn  sasre,  calm  in  majestic  difrnitv  ? 
Also,  in  the  lengthening  troop  see"  some  clad  in  robes  of  triumph, 
Whose  fair  and  sunny  faces  I  iiave  known  and  loved  on  earth : 
Welcome,  ye  glorified  Loves,  Graces,  and  Sciences,  and  Muses, 
That,  like  sisters  of  charity,  temled  in  this  world's  hospital ; 
W^elcome,  for  verily  I  knew,  }^  could  not  but  be  children  of  the  light. 
Though  earth  hath  soiled  yrnir  robes,  and  robbed  you  of  half  j-our  glory ; 
Welcome,  chiefly  welcomfff  for  I  find  I  have  friends  in  heaven, 
And  some  I  might  scar^have  looked  for,  as  tliou,  light-hearted  Mirth ; 
Thou,  also.  star-robed/Urania  :  and  thou,  with  the  curious  glass. 
That  rejoicedst  in  tolcking  wisdom  where  the  eye  was  too  dull  to  note  it ; 
And  art  thou  too  gj^ong  the  blessed,  mild,  much  injured  Poetrv  ? 
Who  quickenest  with  light  and  beauty  the  leaden  face  of  mutter, 
Who  not  unheard,  though  silent,  fillest  earth's  gardens  witii  music, 
And  not  unseen,  though  a  spirit,  dost  look  down  upon  us  from  the  stars, — • 
That  hast  been  to  me  for  oil  and  for  wine,  to  cheer  and  uphold  my  soul, 
When  wearied,  battling  with  the  surge,  the  stunning  surge  of  lite  : 
( )f  thee,  for  well  have  I  loved  thee,  of  thee  may  I  ask  in  hope, 
Wlio  among  the  glorious  is  she,  that  walketh  a  Goddess  and  a  Queen  ? 
And  who  that  fair-haired  Merald,  and  who  that  weeping  saint  ? 
And  who  that  mighty  warrior,  and  who  that  solemn  sage  ? 

Son,  happy  art  thou  that  Wisdom  hath  led  thee  hither  ward ; 


68  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

For,  otherwise  never  had.«t  tliou  known  the  joy-givuig  name  of  our  Queen. 
Behold  her,  tlie  life  of  men,  the  anchor  of  their  shipwrecked  hopes  : 
Behold  lier,  the  shepherdess  of  souls,  who  bringeth  back  the  wanderers  to 

God. 
And  for  that  modest  herald,  slie  is  named  on  earth,  Humility: 
And  hast  thou  not  known,  my  son,  the  tearful  face  of  Repentance  ? 
Faith  is  yon  time-scarred  hero,  walking  in  the  shade  of  his  laurels  ; 
And  Reason,  the  serious  sage,  who  followeth  the  footsteps  of  Faith : 
And  we,  all  we,  are  but  handmaids,  m.inisters  of  minor  bliss, 
Who  rejoice  to  be  counted  servants  in  the  train  of  a  Queen  so  glorious. 
]Jut  for  her  name,  son  of  man,  it  is  strange  to  the  language  of  heaven, 
For  those  who  have  never  fallen  need  not  and  may  not  learn  it : 
Liegeance  we  sware  to  our  God,  and  liegeance  well  have  we  kept ; 
It  is  only  the  band  of  the  redeemed  who  can  tell  thee  the  fullness  of  that 

name;  ('^) 
Yet  will  I  comfort  thee,  my  son,  for  the  love  where\\'ith  thou  hast  loved 

me, 
And  thou  shalt  touch  for  thyself  the  golden  sceptre  of  Religion. 

So  ttiat  blessed  train  passed  by  me  ;  but  the  vision  was  sealed  upon  rny 

soul ; 
And  its  memory  is  shrined  in  fragrance,  for  the  promise  of  the  Spirit  was 

true : 
I  learn  from  the  silent  poem  of  all  creation  round  me, 
How  beautiful  their  feet,  who  follow  in  that  train. 


OF    A     TRINITY.  {'') 

DESPisE  not,  shrew  d  reckoner,  the  God  of  a  good  man's  worship, 
Neither  let  thy  calculating  folly  gainsay  the  unity  of  three  ; 
Nor  scorn  another's  creed,  altliough  he  cannot  solve  thy  doubts  ; 
Reason  is  the  follov/er  of  faith,  where  he  may  not  be  precursor  : 
It  is  written,  and  so  we  believe,  waiting  not  for  outward  proof, 
Inasmuch  as  mysteries  inscrutable  are  the  clear  prerogatives  of  Godhead. 
Reason  hatli  nothing  positive,  faith  hath  nothing  doubtful ; 
And  the  height  of  unbelieving  wisdom  is  to  question  all  things. 


OF  A  TRINITY.  68 

Wlien  tliere  is  marvel  in  a  doctrine,  faith  is  joyful  and  adoreth ; 
But  when  all  is  clear,  what  place  is  left  for  faith  ? 
Tell  mc  the  sum  of  thy  knowledge, — is  it  yet  assured  of  any  thing  ? 
Despise  not  what  is  wonderful,  when  all  things  are  wonderful  around  thee. 
From  the  multitude  of  like  effects,  thou  sayest,  behold  a  law : 
And  the  matter  thou  art  baffled  in  unmaking,  is  to  thy  mind  an  element. 
Then  look  abroad,  I  pray  tliee,  for  analogy  holdeth  every  where, 
And  the  Maker  hath  stamped  his  name  on  every  creature  of  his  hand : 
I  know  not  of  a  matter  or  a  spirit,  that  is  not  three  in  one. 
And  truly  should  account  it  for  a  marvel,  a  coin  without  the  image  of  its 
Ca3sar. 

Man  talketh  of  himself  as  ignorant,  but  judgeth  by  himself  as  wise  : 

His  own  guess  counteth  he  truth,  but  the  notions  of  anotlier  are  his  scorn. 

But  bear  thou  yet  with  a  brother,  whose  thought  may  bo  less  subtle  than 

thine  own. 
And  sufFor  the  passing  speculation  suggested  by  analogies  to  faith. 
Like  bogetteth  like,  and  the  great  sea  of  Existence 
In  each  of  its  uncounted  waves  holdeth  up  a  mirror  to  its  Maker  : 
Like  begetteth  like,  and  the  spreading  tree  of  being 
With  each  of  its  trefoil  leaves  poinieth  at  the  trinity  of  God. 
Let  him  whose  eyes  have  been  unfilmed,  read  this  homily  in  all  things, 
And  thou,  of  duller  sight,  despise  not  him  that  readeth  : 
Tiiere  be  three  grand  principles  ;  life,  generation,  and  obedience  ; 
Shadowing  in  every  creature,  the  Spirit,  and  the  Father,  and  tlie  Sou. 
There  be  throe  grand  unities,  variously  rnixr-d  in  trinities, 
Three  catholic  divisors  of  the  million  sums  of  matter  : 
Yea,  though  science  hatli  not  seen  it,  climbing  the  ladder  of  experiment, 
Let  faith,  in  the  presence  of  her  God,  promulgate  the  mighty  truth. 
Of  three  sole  elements  all  nature's  works  consist : 

The  pine,  and  the  rock  to  which  it  clingeth,  and  the  eagle  sailing  around  it ; 
The  lion,  and  the  northern  whale,  and  the  deeps  wherein  he  sporteth ; 
The  lizard  sleeping  in  the  sun ;  the  lightning  flashing  from  a  cloud ; 
The  rose,  and  the  ruijy,  and  the  pearl ;  each  one  is  made  of  three ; 
And  the  three  be  the  hke  ingredients,  mingled  in  diverse  measures. 
Thyself  hast  within  thyself  body,  and  life,  and  mind  : 
Matter,  and  breath,  and  instinct,  unite  in  all  beasts  of  the  field ; 
Substance,  coherence  and  weight,  fashion  the  fabrics  of  tlie  earth ; 
The  will,  the  doing,  and  the  deed,  combine  to  frame  a  fact : 


70  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

The  stem,  the  leaf,  and  the  flower  ;  bej^inning,  middle,  and  end ; 
Cause,  circumstance,  consequent ;  and  every  three  is  one. 
Yea,  the  very  breath  of  man's  life  consisteth  of  a  trinity  of  vapours, 
And  the  noonday  light  is  a  compound,  the  tiiune  shadow  of  Jehovah.  ('") 

Shall  all  things  else  be  in  mystery,  and  God  alone  be  understood  ? 
Shall  finite  fathom  infinity,  though  it  sound  not  the  shallows  of  creation  ? 
Shall  a  man  comprehend  his  Maker,  being  yet  a  riddle  to  himself? 
Or  time  teach  the  lesson  that  eternity  cannot  master  ? 
If  God  be  nothing  more  than  one,  a  cliild  can  compass  the  thought ; 
But  seraphs  fail  to  unravel  the  wondrous  unity  of  three. 
One  verily  He  is,  for  there  can  be  but  one  who  is  all-mighty ; 
Yet  the  oracles  of  nature  and  rehgiou  proclaim  Him  three  in  one. 
And  where  were  the  value  to  thy  soul,  O  miserable  denizen  of  earth, 
Of  the  idle  pageant  of  the  cross,  where  hung  no  sacrifice  for  thee  .' 
Where  the  worth  to  thine  impotent  heart,  of  that  .stirred  Bethesda, 
All  numbed  and  palsied  as  it  is  by  the  scorpion  stings  of  sin  ? 
No,  thy  trinity  of  nature,  enchained  by  treble  death, 
Helplessly  craveth  of  its  (iod,  himself  for  three  salvations  : 
The  soul  to  be  reconciled  in  lo\'e,  the  mind  to  be  glorified  in  light, 
While  this  poor  dying  body  leapeth  into  life. 
And  if  indeed  for  us  all  the  costly  ransom  hath  been  paid, 
Bctliink  thee,  could  less  than  Deity  have  owned  so  vast  a  treasure  ? 
Could  a  man  contend  with  God,  and  stand  against  the  bosses  of  His  buckler. 
Rendering  the  balance  for  guilt,  atonement  to  the  uttermost  ? 
Thou  art  subtle  to  thine  own  thinking,  but  wisdom  judgeth  thee  a  fool, 
Resolving  thou  wilt  not  bow  the  knee  to  a  Being  thou  canst  not  compre- 
hend : 
The  mind  that  could  comjiass  perfection  were  itself  perfection's  equal ; 
And  reason  refuseth  its  homage  to  a  God  who  can  be  fully  understood. 

Thou  that  despisest  mystery,  yet  canst  expound  nothing. 

Wherefore  rejectest  thou  the  fact  that  solveth  the  enigma  of  all  things  ? 

Wherefore  veilest  thou  thine  eyes,  lest  the  light  of  revelation  sun  them, 

And  puttest  aside  the  key  that  would  open  the  casket  of  truth  ? 

Tlie  mind  and  the  nature  of  God  is  shadowed  in  all  his  works, 

And  none  could  have  guessed  of  his  essence,  had  He  not  uttered  it  himself. 

Therefore,  thou  child  of  folly,  that  scoruest  the  record  of  his  wisdom, 

Learn  from  the  consistencies  of  nature  tiia  needful  miracle  of  Godhead : 


OF  THINKING.  TI 

Yea,  let  the  he;ithen  be  thy  teacher,  who  adoreth  many  gods, 

For  there  is  no  wide-spread  error  that  hath  not  truth  for  its  beginning. 

Be  content ;  thine  eye  cannot  see  all  the  sides  of  a  cube  at  one  view, 

Nor  thy  mind  in  the  self-same  moment  follow  two  ideas  : 

There  are  now  many  marvels  in  thy  creed,  believing  what  thou  seest, 

Then  let  not  the  conceit  of  intellect  hinder  thee  from  worshipping  mystery. 


OF    THINKING. 

RzrLECTiON  is  a  flower  of  the  mind,  giving  out  wholesome  fragrance, 

But  reverie  is  the  same  flower,  when  rank  and  running  to  seed. 

Better  to  read  little  with  thought,  Sian  much  with  levity  and  quickness  ; 

For  mind  is  not  as  merchandise,  which  decreaseth  in  the  using, 

But  liker  to  the  passions  of  man,  which  rejoice  and  expand  in  exertion  : 

Yet  live  not  wholly  on  thine  own  ideas,  lest  they  lead  thee  astray  , 

For  in  spirit,  as  in  substance,  tliou  art  a  social  creature  ; 

And  if  thou  leanest  on  thyself,  thou  rejectest  the  guidance  of  thy  betters, 

Yea.  thou  contemnest  all  men, — Am  I  not  wiser  than  they  ? 

J'oolisli  vanity  hath  blinded  thee,  and  warped  thy  weak  judgment ; 

For,  though  new  ideas  How  from  new  springs,  and  enrich  the  treasury  of 

knowledge, 
Yet  listen  often,  ere  thou  think  much :  and  look  around  thee  ere  thou 

judgest. 
J\remory,  the  daugter  of  Attention,  is  the  teeming  mother  of  Wisdom, 
And  safer  is  he  that  storeth  knowledge,  than  he  that  would  make  it  for 

Wmself. 

Imagination  is  not  thought,  neither  is  fancy  reflection  : 

Tliought  paceth  like  a  hoary  sage,  but  imagination  hath  wings  as  ;m  eagle  : 

Reflection  sternly  considereth,  nor  is  sparing  to  condemn  evil. 

But  fancy  lightly  laugheth,  in  the  sun-clad  garden  of  amusement. 

For  the  shy  game  of  the  fowler  the  quickest  sliot  is  the  surest ; 

But  with  slow  care  and  measured  aim  the  gunner  pointeth  his  cannon : 

So  for  all  less  occasions,  tlie  surface  thought  is  best. 

But  to  be  master  of  the  great  take  tliou  heavier  metal. 

It  is  a  good  thing,  and  a  wholesome,  to  search  out  bosom  sins, 


72  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

But  to  he  the  hero  of  selfish  imaginings,  is  the  subtle  poison  of  pride : 
At  night,  in  the  stilhiess  of  tliy  chuinher,  guard  and  curb  thy  thoughts, 
And  in  recounting  the  doings  of  the  day,  beware  that  thou  do  it  with  prayer, 
Or  thinking  will  be  an  idle  pleasure,  and  retrospect  yield  no  fruit. 
Steer  the  bark  of  thy  mind  from  the  syren  isle  of  reverie, 
And  let  a  watchful  spirit  mingle  with  the  glance  of  recollection : 
Also,  in  examining  tliine  heart,  in  sounding  the  fountain  of  thine  actions, 
Be  more  careful  of  the  evil  than  of  tlie  good  ;  and  humble  thyself  in  tliy  sin. 

The  root  of  all  wholesome  thought  is  knowledge  of  thyself, 

For  thus  only  can.-t  thou  learn  the  character  of  God  toward  thee. 

He  made  thee,  and  thou  art ;  he  redeemed  thee,  and  thou  wilt  be : 

Thou  art  evil,  yet  he  loveth  thee  :  thou  sinnest,  yet  he  pardonetJi  thee. 

Tiioug<i  thou  cnnst  not  perceive  him,  yet  is  he  in  all  his  works, 

Infinite  in  grand  outline,  infinite  in  minute  perfection ; 

Nature  is  the  chart  of  God,  mapping  out  all  his  attributes ; 

Art  is  the  shadow  of  his  wisdom,  and  copieth  his  resource.=i. 

Thou  knowest  the  lav\s  of  matter  to  be  emanations  of  his  will, 

And  tiiy  best  reason  for  aught  is  this, — thou.  Lord,  would  have  it  so. 

Yea,  what  is  any  law  but  an  absolute  decree  of  God  ? 

Or  the  properfies  of  matter  and  mind,  but  the  arbitrary  fiats  of  Jehovah  ? 

He  made  and  ordained  necessity  ;  he  forged  the  chain  of  reason  ; 

And  holdeth  in  his  own  right  hand  the  first  of  the  golden  links. 

A  fool  regardeth  mind  as  the  spiritual  essence  of  matter, 

And  not  rather  matter  as  the  gross  accident  of  mind. 

Can  finite  govern  infinite,  or  a  part  exceed  the  whole, 

Or  the  wisdom  of  God  sit  down  at  the  feet  of  innate  necessity  ? 

Necessity  is  a  creature  of  his  hand  :  for  He  can  never  change  ; 

And  chance  hath  nr)  existence  where  every  thing  is  needful. 

Canst  thou  measure  Oil  nipotence,  canst  thou  conceive  Ubiquity, 

Which  guideth  the  meanest  reptile,  and  qnickeneth  the  brightest  seraph, 

Which  steeretli  the  particles  of  dust,  and  commandeth  the  path  of  the 

comet  ? 
To  Him  all  things  are  equal,  for  all  things  are  necessary. 
The  smith  is  weary  at  his  forge,  and  weldetli  the  metal  carelessly, 
And  the  anchor  breaketh  in  its  bed,  and  the  vessel  foundereth  w  ith  her 

crew : 
A  word  of  anger  is  muttered,  engendering  the  midnight  murder : 


OF  THINKING,  73 

The  sun  bursteth  from  a  cloud,  and  maddeneth  the  toiling  husbandman. 

tShall  those  things  be,  and  God  not  know  it  ? 

Shall  he  know,  and  not  be  in  thcni  ?  shall  he  see,  and  not  be  among  them  7 

And  how  can  thej-  be  otherwise  than  as  he  knoweth  ? 

Tnily,  the  Lord  is  in  all  thinjrs  ;  verily,  ho  workcth  in  all. 

Think  thus,  and  thy  thoughts  are  firm,  ascribing  each  circumstance  to 

Him  : 
Yet  know  surely,  and  believe  the  truth,  tliat  God  Vy-il!eth  not  evil : 
For  adversities  are  blessings  in  disguise,  and  wickedness  the  Lord  ab- 

horretli : 
Thut  he  is  in  all  things  is  an  axiom,  and  thut  he  is  righteous  in  all ; 
Ascribe  holiness  to  Him,  while  thou  musest  on  the  mystery  of  sin,  , 

For  infinite  can  gra.-p  that  which  finite  cannot  compass. 

In  works  of  art,  think  justly  :  what  praise  canst  thou  render  unto  man  ? 
For  he  made  not  his  own  mind,  nor  is  he  the  scource  of  contrivance. 
If  a  cnnning  workman  makefh  an  engine  that  fashioneth  curious  works, 
Which  hath  the  praise,  the  machine  or  its  maker, — the  engine,  or  he  that 

franied  it  ? 
And  could  he  frame  it  so  subtly  as  to  give  it  a  will  and  freedom, 
Endow  it  with  complicated  powers,  and  a  glorious  living  soul, 
Who,  while  he  admireth  the  wondrous  imderstanding  creature, 
Will  not  pay  deeper  homage  to  the  Maker  of  master  minds  "^ 
Otherv/ise,  thou  art  senseless  as  the  pag'an,  that  adoreth  his  own  handi- 
work ; 
Voa,  while  thou  boastest  of  thy  wisdom,  lliy  mind  is  as  the  mind  of  the 

savage, 
For  he  l.oweth  down  to  his  idols,  and  thou  art  a  worshipper  of  self, 
(living  to  t!ie  reasoning  macliinc  the  credit  due  to  its  Creator. 

The  kcvstone  of  thy  mind,  to  give  tliy  thoughts  solidity. 
To  bind  tlieni  as  in  an  arch,  to  fix  them  a-  a  world  in  its  sphere. 
Is  to  learn  from  tlie  book  of  the  Lord,  to  drink  from  the  well  of  his  wisdom. 
Who  can  condense  the  sun,  or  analyze  the  fullness  of  the  Bible, 
So  that  its  ideas  1k>  gtithered,  and  the  han-est  of  its  wisdom  bo  brought  in  ? 
That  book  is  easy  to  the  man  who  setteth  his  heart  to  understand  it, 
But  to  the  careless  and  profane  it  shall  seem  the  foolishness  of  God ; 
And  it  is  a  delicate  test  to  prove  thy  moral  state  ; 

To  the  humble  disciple  it  is  bread,  but  a  stone  to  the  proud  and  un- 
believing : 


74  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

A  scorner  shall  find  nothing  bnt  the  husks,  wliorewith  to  feed  his  hunger 

But  for  the  soul  of  the  simple,  it  is  plenty  of  full-ripe  wheat. 

The  Scripture  abideth  the  same  in  the  sober  majesty  of  truth  ; 

And  the  differing  aspects  of  its  teaching  proceed  from  diversity  in  mind^. 

He  that  would  learn  to  think  may  gain  that  knowledge  there  ; 

For  the  living  word,  as  an  angel,  standeth  at  the  gate  of  wisdom, 

And  publisheth,  This  is  the  way,  v/alk  ye  surely  in  it. 

Religion  taketh  by  the  hand  tlie  humble  pupil  of  repentance. 

And  teacheth  him  lessons  of  mystery,  solving  the  questions  of  doubt ; 

She  maketh  man  worthy  of  himself,  of  his  high  prerogative  of  reason, 

Threadeth  all  the  labyrinths  of  thought,  and  leadeth  him  to  his  God. 

Come  hither,  child  of  meditation,  upon  whose  higli  fair  forehead 

Glittereth  the  star  of  mind  in  its  unearthly  lustre, 

Hast  thou  nought  to  tell  us  of  tliine  airy  joys, — 

When  borne  on  sinewy  pinions,  strong  as  the  western  condor, 

The  soul,  after  soaring  for  a  wliile  round  the  cloud-capped  Andes  of 

reflection, 
Glad  in  its  conscious  immortality,  leaveth  a  world  behind, 
To  dare  at  one  bold  flight  the  broad  Atlantic  to  another  ? 
Hast  thou  no  secret  pangs  to  wliisper  common  men, 
No  dread  of  thine  own  energies,  still  active,  day  and  night, 
Lest  too  ecstatic  heat  sublime  thyself  away. 
Or  vivid  horrors,  sharp  and  clear,  madden  thy  tense  fibres  ? 
In  half-shaped  visions  of  sleep  hast  thou  not  feared  thy  Sittings, 
Lest  reason,  like  a  raking  hawk,  return  not  to  thy  call ; 
Nor  waked  to  work-day  life  with  throbbing  head  and  heart, 
Nor  welcomed  early  dawn  to  save  thee  from  unrest  ? 
For  the  wearied  spirit  lieth  as  a  l;unting  maiden. 
Captive  and  borne  away  on  the  warrior's  foam-covered  steed, 
And  sinketh  down  wounded  as  a  gladiator  on  tlie  sand, 
While  the  keen  falchion  of  Intellect  is  cutting  through  the  scabbard  of  the 

brain. 
Imagination,  like  a  shadowy  giant  looming  on  the  twilight  of  the  Hartz, 
Shall  overwhelm  Judgment  with  aifright,  and  scare  him  from  his  throne  : 
In  a  dream  thou  mayst  be  mad,  and  feel  the  fire  within  thee  ; 
In  a  dream  thou  mayst  travel  out  of  self,  and  see  thee  with  the  eyes  of 

another ; 
Or  sleep  in  thine  own  corpse  ;  or  wake  as  in  many  bodies  : 


OF  SPEAKING.  75 

Or  swell,  as  expanded  to  infinity  ;  or  shrink,  as  imprisoned  to  a  point ; 
Or  among  moss-grown  ruins  may  wander  with  tlie  sullen  disembodied, 
And  gaze  upon  their  glassy  C3'es  until  thy  heart-blood  freeze. 

Alone  must  thou  stand,  O  man  !  a'one  at  the  bar  of  judgment ; 
Alone  must  thou  bear  thy  sentence,  alone  must  thou  answer  for  thy  deeds  : 
Therefore  it  is  well  tliou  rctirest  often  to  secrecy  and  solitude. 
To  feel  that  thou  art  accountnble  separately  from  thy  fellows : 
For  a  crowd  hideth  truth  from  the  eyes,  society  drowneth  thought, 
And,  being  but  one  among  many,  stifleth  the  chidings  of  conscience. 
Solitude  bringcth  woe  to  the  wicked,  for  his  crimes  arc  told  out  in  his  ear ; 
But  addeth  peace  to  the  good,  for  the  mercies  of  his  God  are  numbered. 
Thou  mayst  know  if  it  be  well  with  a  man, — loveth  he  gayety  or  solitude  ? 
For  the  troubled  river  rusheth  to  the  sea,  but  the  calm  lake  slumbereth 

among  the  mountains. 
How  dear  to  the  mind  of  the   sage  are  the  thoughts   that  are  bred  in 

loneliness, 
For  there  is  as  it  were  music  at  liis  heart,  and  he  talketh  within  him  as 

with  friends : 
But  guilt  maddeneth  the  brain,  and  terror  glareth  in  the  eye, 
Where,  in  his  solitary  cell,  the  malefactor  wrestleth  with  remorse. 
Give  me  but  a  lodge  in  the  wilderness,  drop  me  on  an  island  in  the  deseit, 
And  thought  shall  yield  me  happine.-:s,  though  I  may  not  increase  it  by 

imparting : 
For  the  soul  never  slumbereth,  but  is  as  the  eye  of  the  Eternal, 
And,  mind,  the  breath  of  God,  knoweth  not  ideal  vacuity  : 
At  night,  after  wearine.ss  and  watching,  the  body  sinketh  into  sleep, 
But  the  mental  eye  is  awake,  and  thou  reasonest  in  thy  dreams  : 
In  a  dream  thou  mayst  live  a  lifetime,  and  all  be  forgotten  in  the  morning : 
Even  such  is  life,  and  so  soon  perisheth  its  memory. 


OF    SPEAKING. 

Speech  is  the  golden  harvest  that  foUoweth  the  flowering  of  thought ; 
Yet  oftentimes  runneth  it  to  husk,  and  the  grains  be  withered  and  scanty, 
Speech  is  reason's  brother,  and  a  kingly  prerogative  of  man, 


76  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

'riiat  likeneth  him  to  his  JIakcr,  who  spake,  and  it  was  done : 

Spirit  may  mingle  with  spirit,  but  sense  reqiiireth  a  symbol ; 

And  speech  is  the  body  of  a  thought,  without  which  it  were  not  seen. 

When  thou  walkest,  musing  with  thyself,  in  the  green  aisles  of  the  forest, 

Utter  thy  thinkings  aloud,  that  they  t;ike  a  shape  and  being ; 

For  he  that  pondereth  in  silence  crowdeth  the  storehouse  of  his  mind, 

And  though  he  have  heaped  great  riches,  yet  is  ho  hindered  in  the  using. 

A  man  that  speaketh  too  little,  and  thinketh  much  and  deeply, 

Corrodeth  his  own  licart-strings,  and  keepeth  back  good  from  his  fellows  ? 

A  man  that  speaketh  too  much,  and  mu.seth  but  little  and  lightly, 

Wastoth  his  mind  in  word.-,  and  is  counted  a  fool  among  men : 

But  thon,  when  thou  hast  thought,  weave  charily  t!ie  web  of  meditation, 

And  clotiie  the  ideal  s])irit  in  the  suitable  garments  of  speech. 

Uttered  out  of  time,  or  concealed  in  its  season,  good  savoureth  of  cvU ; 

To  be  secret  looketh  like  guilt,  to  speak  out  may  breed  contention ; 

Often  have  I  known  the  honest  heart,  flaming  with  indignant  virtue, 

Provoke  unneeded  war  by  its  rash  ambassador,  the  tongue  : 

Often  have  I  seen  the  cliaritable  man  go  so  slyly  on  his  mission, 

Tiiat  tliose  who  met  him  in  the  twilight,  took  him  for  a  skulking  thief: 

I  have  heard  tlie  zealous  youth  telling  out  his  holy  secrets 

Before  a  swinish  throng,  who  mocked  him  as  he  spake  ; 

And  I  considered,  liis  openness  was  hardening  them  that  mocked, 

Whereas,  a  judi'cious  keeping-back  might  have  won  their  sympathy  ; 

T  have  judged  rashly  and  harshly  the  hand  liberal  in  the  dark, 

Because  in  the  broad  daylight  it  hath  holden  it  a  virtue  to  be  close  ; 

And  the  silent  tongue  have  I  condemned,  because  reserve  hath  chained  it, 

That  it  hid,  yea  from  a  brother,  the  kindness  it  had  done  by  comforting. 

No  need  to  sound  a  trumpet,  but  less  to  hush  a  footfall : 

Do  thou  tliy  good  openly,  not  as  though  the  doing  were  a  crime. 

Secrecy  goeth  cowled,  and  Honesty  demandeth,  Wiierefore  ? 

For  he  judgeth, — ^judgeth  he  not  well  ? — that  liothing  need  be  hid  but 

guilt ; 
Why  should  thy  good  be  evil  spoken  of  through  thine  unrighteous  silence  ? 
If  thou  art  challenged,  speak,  and  prove  tlie  good  thou  doest. 
The  free  example  of  benevolence,  unobtruded,  yet  unbidden, 
Soundeth  in  the  ears  of  sloth,  Go,  and  do  thou  likewise : 
And  I  wot  the  hypocrite's  sin  to  be  of  darker  dye. 
Because  the  good  man,  feaiing,  thereby  hideth  his  light : 


OF  SPEAKING.  77 

But  neither  God  nor  man  hath  bid  thee  cloak  thy  good, 

Wlicn  a  ssasonable  word  would  set  thee  in  thy  epliere,  that  all  might  see 

thy  brightness. 
Ascribe  the  honour  to  thy  Lord,  but  be  thou  jealous  of  that  honour. 
Nor  think  it   light  and  worthless,  because  thou  mayst  not  wear  it  for 

thyself : 
K  oniember  thy  grand  prerogative  is  free  unshackled  utterance, 
And  sutler  not  the  floodgates  of  secrecy  to  lock  the  full  river  of  thy 

speech. 

Come,  I  will  show  thee  an  affliction,  imnumbered   among  this  world's 

sorrows, 
Yet  real,  and  wearisome,  and  constant,  embittering  the  cup  of  life. 
There  be,  who  can  think  within  themselves,  and  the  fire  burneth  at  their 

heart. 
And  eloquence  waiteth  at  their  lips,  yet  they  speak  not  v.'ith  their  tongue  : 
There  be,  whom  zeal  quickeneth,  or  slander  stirreth  to  reply. 
Or  need  constraineth  to  ask,  or  pity  sendeth  as  her  messengers, 
But  nervous  dread  and  sensitive  shrune  freeze  the  current  of  their  speech  : 
The  mouth  is  sealed  as  with  lead,  a  cold  weight  presseth  on  the  heart, 
Thu  mocking  promise  of  power  is  once  more  broken  in  performance, 
And  they  stand  impotent  of  words,  travailing  with  unborn  thoughts  : 
Courage  is  cowed  at  the  portal :  wisdom  is  widowed  of  utterance  ; 
He  that  went  to  comfort  is  pitied ;  he  that  should  rebuke,  is  silent.  • 
And  fools  who  might  listen  and  learn,  stand  by  to  look  and  laugh ; 
While  friends,  with  kinder  eyes,  wound  deeper  by  compassion, 
And  tlio\ight,  finding  not  a  vent,  smouidereth,  gnawing  at  the  heart, 
.\nd  the  man  sinketh  in  liis  sphere,  fur  lack  of  empty  sounds. 
'I'hore  be  many  cures  and  sorrows  thou  hast  not  yet  considered. 
And  well  may  thy  soul  rejoice  in  the  fair  privilege  of  speech ; 
For  at  every  tu.rn  to  want  a  word, — thou  canst  not  guess  that  want ; 
It  is  as  lack  of  breath  or  bread :  life  hath  no  grief  more  galling. 

Come,  I  will  tell  thee  of  a  joy,  which  fiic  parasites  of  pleasure  have  not 

known, 
Tho-.igh  earth,  and  air,  and  sea,  have  gorged  all  the  appetites  of  sense. 
Behold,  what  fire  is  in  his  eye,  what  fervour  on  his  cheek  ! 
That  glorious  burst  of  winged  words  ! — how  bound  they  from  his  tongue  ! 
The  frdl  expression  of  the  mighty  thought,  the  strong  triumphant  argu- 

ment, 


78  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

The  rush  of  native  eloquence,  resistless  as  Niagara, 

The  keen  demand,  the  clear  reply,  the  fine  poetic  image, 

The  nice  analogy,  tlie  clenching  fart,  the  metaphor  bold  and  free, 

The  grasp  of  concentrated  intellect,  wielding  the  omnipotence  of  truth, 

The  grandeur  of  his  speed),  in  his  majesty  of  mind  ! 

Champion  of  the  right, — patriot,  or  priest,  or  pleader  of  the   innocent 

cause, 
Upon  whose  lips  the  mystic  bee  hath  droped  the  honey  of  persuasion,  (") 
Whose  heart  and  tongue  have  been  touched,  as  of  old,  by  the  live  coal 

from  the  altar. 
How  wide  the  spreading  of  thy  peace,  how  deep  the  draught  of  thy 

pleasures ! 
To  hold  the  multitude  as  one,  breathing  in  measured  cadence, 
A  thousand  men  with  flashing  eyes,  waiting  upon  thy  will ; 
A  thousand  hearts  kindled  by  thee  with  consecrated  fire. 
Ten  flaming  spiritual  hecatombs  offered  on  the  mount  of  God  : 
And  now  a  pause,  a  thrilling  pause, — they  live  but  in  thy  words, — 
Thou  hast  broken  the  bounds  of  self,  as  the  Nile  at  its  rising, 
Thou  art  expanded  into  them,  one  faith,  one  hope,  one  spirit, 
They  breathe  but  in  thy  breath,  their  minds  are  passive  unto  thine, 
Thou  turnest  the  key  of  their  love,  bending  t!)eir  affections  to  thy  purpose, 
And  all,  in  sympathy  with  thee,  tremble  with  tumultuous  emotions. 
Verily,  O  man,  with  truth  for  thy  tlieme,  eloquence  shall  throne  tliee  witli 

archaiijjcls. 


OF    READING. 

One  drachma  for  a  good  bocjk.  and  a  thousand  talents  for  a  true  friend  :- 

So  standeth  the  market  v,'here  scarce  is  ever  costly  : 

Yea,  were  the  diauionds  of  Golconda  common  as  shingles  on  the  shore, 

A  ripe  apple  would  ransom  kings  before  a  shining  stone  : 

And  so,  were  a  wholesome  book  as  rare  as  an  honest  friend, 

To  choose  the  book  be  mine  :  the  friend  let  another  take. 

For  altered  looks  and  jealousies  and  fears  have  none  entrance  there : 

The  silent  volume  listeneth  well,  and  sneaketh  when  thou  listest : 


OF  READING.  79 

It  praiseth  thy  good  without  envy,  it  chideth  tliine  evil  without  maUce, 

It  is  to  thee  thy  waiting  slave,  and  thine  unbending  teaclier. 

Need  to  humour  no  caprice,  need  to  bear  with  no  infirmity  ; 

Thy  sin,  thy  slander,  or  neglect,  chilleth  not,  quencheth  not,  its  love  ; 

Unalterably  speaketli  it  the  truth,  warped  not  by  error  nor  interest ; 

For  a  good  book  is  the  best  of  friends,  the  same  to-day  and  for  ever. 

To  draw  thee  out  of  self,  thy  petty  plans  and  cautions. 

To  teach  thee  what  thou  lackest,  to  tell  thee  how  largely  thou  art  blest. 

To  lure  thy  thought  from  sorrow,  to  feed  thy  famished  mind, 

To  graft  another's  wisdom  on  thee,  pruning  thine  own  folly  ; 

Choose  discreetly,  and  well  digest  the  volume  most  suited  to  thy  case. 

Touching  not  religion  with  levity,  nor  deep  things  when  thou  art  wearied. 

Thy  mind  is  freshened   by  morning  air,  grapple  with  science  and    phi- 
losophy ; 

Noon  hath  unnerved  thy  thoughts,  dream  for  a  while  on  fictions  ; 

Gray  evening  sobercth  thy  spirit,  walk  thou  then  with  worshippers  ; 

But  reason  shall  dig  deepest  in  the  night,  and  fancy  fly  most  free. 

O  books,  ye  monuments  of  mind,  concrete  wisdom  of  the  wisest ; 

Sweet  solaces  of  daily  life  ;  proofs  and  results  of  immortality; 

Trees  yielding  all  fruits,  whose  leaves  are  for  the  healing  of  the   nations. 

Groves  of  knowledge,  where  all  may  eat,  nor  fear  a  Aiming  sword  ; 

Gentle  comrades,  kind  advisers  ;  friends,  comforts,  treasures  ; 

Helps,  governments,  diversities  of  tongues  ;  who  can  weigh  your  worth  ? — 

To  walk  no  longer  with  the  just ;  to  be  driven  from  the  porch  of  science  ; 

To  bid  long  adieu  to  those  intimate  ones,  po?ts,  philosophers,  and  teachers  ; 

To  see  no  record  of  the  sympathies  which  bind  thee  in  communion  with 
the  good ; 

To  be  thrust  from  the  foet  of  Him,  who  spake  as  never  man  spake  ; 

To  have  no  avenue  to  heaven  but  the  dim  aisle  of  superstition  ; 

To  live  as  an  Esquimaux,  in  lethargy ;   to  die  as  the  Mohawk,  in  ignor- 
ance : 

O  what  were  life,  but  a  b'ank  ?  what  were  death,  but  a  terror  ? 

What  were  man,  but  a  burden  to  himself  ?  what  were  mind,  but  misery  7 

Yea,  let  another  Omar  burn  the  full  library  of  knowledge,  {") 

And  the  broad  world  may  perish  in  the  flames,  oiTered  on  the  ashes  of  its 
wisdom ! 


eO  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 


OF    WRITING. 

The  pen  of  a  read}'  writer,  wlicreunto  .-^liall  it  he  likened  ? 

Ask  of  the  scholar,  lie  shall  know, — to  the  chains  tlvit  bind  a  Proteus  : 

Ask  of  the  poet,  he  shall  say, — to  the  sun,  the  lamp  of  heaven  ; 

Ask  of  thy  neighbour,  he  can  answer,  to  the  friend  that  telleth  my  thought : 

The  merchant  considereth  it  well,  as  a  ship  freighted  with  wares; 

The  divine  holdeth  it  a  miracle,  giving  utterance  to  tlie  dumb. 

It  fixeth,  expoundeth,  and  disseminateth  sentiment ; 

Chaining  up  a  thought,  clearing  it  of  mystery,  and  sending  it  bright  into 

the  world. 
To  think  rightly,  is  of  knowledge  ;  to  speak  fluci-tly,  is  of  nature  ; 
To  read  with  profit,  is  of  care  ;  but  to  write  aptly,  is  of  practice. 
No  talent  among  men  hath  more  scholars  and  fewer  masters  : 
For  to  write  is  to  speak  beyond  hearing,  and  none  stand  by  to  explain. 
To  be  accurate,  write  ;  to  remember,  write  ;  to  know  thine  own  mind,  write  : 
And  a  written  prayer  is  a  prayer  of  faith  ;  special,  sure,  and  to  be  answered. 
Hast  thou  a  thought  upon  thy  brain,  catcli  it  while  thou  canst ; 
Or  other  thoughts  shall  settle  there,  and  this  shall  soon  take  wing  : 
Thine  uncompoimded  unity  of  soul,  which  argueth  and  maketh  it  immortal, 
Yieldeth  up  its  momentary  self  to  every  single  thought ; 
Therefore,  to  husband  thine  ideas,  and  give  them  stability  and  substance 
Write  often  for  thy  secret  eye  :  so  shalt  tliou  grov.'  wiser. 
The  commonest  mind  is  full  of  thoughts  ;  some  worthv  of  the  rarest ; 
And  could  it  see  them  fairly  writ,  would  wonder  at  its  wealth. 
O  precious  compensation  to  the  dumb,  to  write  his  wants  and  wislies  I 
O  dear  amends  to  the  stammering  tongue,  to  pen  his  burning  thoughts  ! 
To  be  of  the  college  of  Eloquence,  through  the.se  silent  symbols ; 
To  pour  out  all  the  flowing  mind  without  the  toil  of  speech  ; 
To  show  the  babbling  world  how  it  might  di.'^conrso  more  sweetlv  ; 
To  prove  that  merchandise  of  words  bringeth  no  monopoly  of  wisdom  : 
To  take  sweet  vengeance  on  a  prating  crew,  for  the  tongue's  dishonour, 
By  the  large  triumph  of  the  pen,  the  homage  rendered  to  a  writing. 
With  such,  that  telegraph  of  mind  is  dearer  th;in  wealth  or  wisdom, 
Enablmg  to  please  without  pain,  to  impart  without  humiliation. 

Fair  girl,  whose  eye  hath  caught  the  rustic  penmanship  of  love, 


OF  WRITING.  81 

Let  thy  bright  bow  and  blushing  cheek  confess  in  this  sweet  hour, — 
Let  thy  full  heart,  poor  guilty  one,  whom  the  scroll  of  pardon  hath  just 

reached, — 
I'hy  wet  glad  ftice,  O  mother,  with  news  of  a  far-off  child, — 
Thy  strong  and  manly  delight,  pilgrim  of  other  shores, 
Wlien  the  dear  voice  of  tliy  betrothed  spcaketh  in  the  letter  of  affection. — 
]  .-et  the  young  poet  exulting  in  his  lay,  and  hope  (how  false)  of  fame, 
\\TiiIe,  watching  at  deep  midnight,  he  buildeth  up  the  verse, — 
Let  tlie  calm  child  of  genius,  who.-e  name  shall  never  die, 
For  that  the  transcript  of  his  mind  hath  m?de  liis  thouglits  immortal, — 
Let  these,  let  all,  with  no  faint  praise,  with  no  light  gratitude,  confess 
The  blessings  poured  upon  the  earth  from  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer. 

Moreover,  their  preciousness  in  absence  is  {)roved  by  the  desire  of  tlieir 

presence : 
When  the  despairing  lover  waiteth  day  after  day, 
Looking  for  a  word  in  reply,  one  word  writ  by  that  h.and, 
And  cursing  bitterly  the  morn  ushered  in  by  blank  disappointment : 
Or  when  the  long-looked-for  answer  argueth  a  cooling  friend. 
And  the  mind  is  plied  suspiciously  witli  dark  inexj)!icab!e  doubts, 
While  thy  wounded  heart  counteth  its  imaginary  scars. 
And  thou  art  the  innocent  and  injured,  that  friend  the  capricious  and  in 

fault : 
'Or  when  the  earnest  petition,  that  craveth  for  thy  needs 
Unheeded,  yea,  unopened,  tortureth  with  starving  delay  : 
Or  when  the  silence  of  a  son,  who  would  have  written  of  his  welfare, 
Racketh  a  father's  bosom  with  sharp-cutting  fears  : 
For  a  letter,  timely  writ,  is  a  rivet  to  the  chain  of  atTection. 
And  a  letter  untimely  delayed,  is  as  rust  to  the  solder. 
Tiie  pen,  flowing  with  love,  or  dipped  black  in  hate. 
Or  tipped  with  delicate  courtesies,  or  harshly  edged  with  censure, 
Ilath  quickened  more  good  than  the  sun,  more  enl  than  the  sword, 
More  joy  than  woman's  smile,  more  woe  than  frowning  fortune  ; 
And  shouldst  thou  ask  my  judgment  of  that  which  hath  most  profit  in  the 

world, 
For  answer  take  thou  this,  The  prudent  penning  of  a  letter. 

Thou  hast  not  lost  an  hour,  whereof  there  is  a  record  ; 
A  \\Titten  tliought  at  midnight  shall  redeem  the  livelong  day. 

4* 


82  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Idea  is  a  shadow  that  departeth,  speech  is  flseting  as  the  wind, 

Reading  is  an  unreniembored  pastime ;  but  a  writing  is  eternal  : 

For  therein  the  dead  heart  livcth,  the  clay-cold  tongue  is  eloquent. 

And  the  quick  eye  of  the  reader  is  cleared  hy  t!ie  reed  of  the  scribe. 

As  a  fossil  in  the  rock,  or  a  coin  in  the  mortar  of  a  ruin, 

So  the  symboUed  thoughts  tell  of  a  doparted  soul : 

The  plastic  hand  hath  its  witness  in  a  statue,  and  exactitude  of  vision  in  a 

picture, 
And  so,  the  mind,  that  was  among  us,  in  its  writings  is  embalmed. 


OF    WEALTH. 

Prodigality   hath  a  sister  Meanness,  his  fixed  antagonist  heart-fellow, 

Who  often  outllveth  the  short  carear  of  the  brother  she  dijspissth : 

She  hath  lean  lips  and  a  sharp  look,  and  her  eyes  are  red  and  hungry ; 

But  she  sloucheth  at  his  gait,  and  his  mouth  speaketh  loosely  and  maudlin. 

Let  a  spendthrift  grow  to  be  old,  he  will  set  his  heart  on  saving, 

And  labour  to  build  up  by  penury  that  which  extravagance  threw  down : 

Even  so,  with  most  men,  do  riches  earn  themselves  a  double  curse ; 

They  are  ill-got  by  tight  dealing :  they  are  ill-spent  by  loose  squandering. 

Give  me  enough,  saith  Wisdom  ; — for  he  feareth  to  ask  for  more ; 

And  that  by  the  sweat  of  my  brow,  addetii  stout-hearted  Independence : 

Give  me  enough,  and  not  less,  for  want  is  leagued  with  the  tempter ; 

Poverty  shall  make  a  man  desperate,  and  hurry  him  ruthless  into  crime ; 

Give  me  enough,  and  not  more,  saving  for  the  children  of  distress ; 

Wealth  ofttimes  killeth,  where  want  but  hindereth  the  budding  : 

There  is  green  glad  summer  near  the  pole,  though  brief  and  after  long 

winter, 
But  the  burnt  breasts  of  the  torrid  zone  yield  never  kindly  nourishment. 
Wouldst  thou  be  poor,  scatter  to  the  rich, — and  reap  the  tares  of  ingratitude ; 
Wouldst  thou  be  rich,  give  unto  the  poor ; — thou  shalt  have  thine  own 

with  usury : 
For  the  seciet  hand  of  Providence  prospereth  the  charitable  all  ways, 
Good  luck  shall  he  have  in  his  pursuits,  and  his  heart  shall  be  glad  within 

him; 


OF   WEALTH.  83 

Yet  perchance  he  never  shall  perceive,  that  even  as  to  earthly  gains, 
The  cause  of  his  vi^eal,  as  of  his  joy,  hath  been  small  givings  to  the  poor. 

In  the  plain  of  Benares  is  there  found  a  root  that  fathereth  a  forest, 

Where  round  the  parent  banian-tree  drop  its  living  scions ; 

Thirstily  they  strain  to  the  earth,  like  stalactites  in  a  grotto, 

And  strike  broad  roots,  and  branch  again,  lengthening  their  cool  arcades. 

And  the  dervish  madly  danceth  there,  and  the  faquir  is  torturing  his  flesh, 

And  the  calm  Brahmin  worshippetli  the  sleek  and  pampered  bull ; 

At  the  base  lean  jackalls  coil,  while  from  above  depending 

With  dull  malignant  stare  watcheth  the  branch-like  boa. 

Even  so,  in  man's  lieart  is  a  sin  that  is  the  root  of  all  evil ; 

Whose  fibres  strangle  the  affections,  whose  branches  overgrow  the  mind : 

And  oftenest  beneath  its  shadow  thou  shalt  meet  distorted  piety, — 

The  clenched  and  rigid  fist,  with  the  eyes  upturned  to  heaven. 

Fanatic  zeal  with  miserly  severity,  a  mixture  of  gain  with  godliness, 

And  him,  against  whom  passion  hath  no  power,  kneeling  to  a  golden  calf: 

The  hungry  hounds  of  extortion  are  there,  the  bond,  and  the  mortgage, 

and  the  writ. 
While  the  appetite  for  gold,  unslumbering,  watcheth  to  glut  its  maw  : — 
And  the  heart,  so  tenanted  and  shaded,  is  cold  to  all  things  else ; 
It  sceth  not  the  sunshine  of  heaven,  nor  is  warmed  by  the  light  of  charity. 

For  covetousness  disbelieveth  God,  and  laugheth  at  the  rights  of  men  ; 
Spurring  unto  theft  and  lying,  and  templing  to  the  poison  and  the  knife;;. 
It  sundereth  the  bonds  of  love,  and  quickeneth  the  flames  of  hate ; 
A  curse  that  shall  wither  the  brain,  and  case  the  heart  with  iron. 
Content  is  the  true  riciies,  for  wiihout  it  there  is  no  satisfying. 
But  a  ravenous  all-devouring  hunger  gnaweih  the  vitals  of  the  soul. 
The  wise  man  knoweth  where  to  stop,  as  he  runneth  in  the  race  of  fortune, 
For  experience  of  old  hath  taught  him  that  happiness  lingereth  midway  ; 
And  many  in  hot  pursuit  have  hasted  to  the  goal  of  wealth, 
But  have  lost,  as  they  ran,  those  apples  of  gold, — the  mind  and  the  power 
to  enjoy  it. 

There  is  no  greater  evil  among  men  than  a  testament  framed  with  injustice ; 
Where  caprice  hath  guided  the  boon,  or  dishonesty  refused  what  was  due. 
Generous  is  the  robber  on  the  highway,  in  tlie  o|)en  daring  of  his  guilt, 
To  the  secret  coward,  whose  malice  liveth  and  harmeth  after  him : 


84  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Wlio  sinootlily  sank  into  the  tomb  with  the  smile  of  fraud  upon  his  face, 
And  the  last  black  deed  of  his  cxirttonce  was  injury  without  redress  ; 
For  deaf  is  the  ear  of  the  dead,  and  can  hear  no  palliatinir  reasons  ; 
The  smiter  is  not  among  the  living,  and  Right  pleadetli  but  in  vain. 
Yet  shall  the  curse  of  the  ojjpressed  be  as  blight  upon  the  grave  of  the 

unjust ; 
Yea,  bitterly  shall  that  handwriting  testify  against  him  at  iho  judgment. 
I  saw  the  humble  relation  that  tended  tlio  peevishness  of  wealtli. 
And  ministered  with  kind  hand  to  the  wailings  of  disease  and  discontent ; 
I  noted  how  watchfulness  and  care  were  feeding  on  the  marrow  of  her 

youth ; 
How  heavy  was  the  yolve  of  dependence,  loaded  by  petty  tyranny ; 
Yet  I  heard  the  frequent  suggestion, — it  can  be  but  a  little  longer, 
Patience  and  mute  submission  shall  one  day  reap  a  rich  reward. 
So,  tacitly  enduring  much,  waited  that  humble  friend, 
Putting  off  the  lover  of-her  youth  until  the  dawn  of  wealth  ; 
And  it  came,  that  day  of  release,  and  the  freed  heart  could  not  sorrow, 
For  now  were  the  years  of  promise  to  yield  their  golden  harvest : 
Hope,  so  long  deferred,  sickly  s])arkled  in  her  eye. 
The  miserable  past  was  forgotten,  as  she  looked  for  the  happier  future. 
And   she   checked,  as   unworthy   and   ungrateful,   the   dark,  suspicious 

thought. 
That  perchance  her  right  had  been  the  safer,  if  not  left  alone  v.-ith  honour  : 
But,  alas,  the  sad  knowledge  soon  came,  that  her  stern  task-master's  will 
Hath  re\varded  her  toil  with  a  jibe,  her  patience  with  utter  destitution  I — 
Shall  not  the  scourge  of  justice  lash  that  cruel  coward, 
Who  mingled  the  gall  of  ingratitude  with  the  bitterness  of  disappointment? 
Shall  not  tlie  hate  of  men,  and  vengeance,  fiercely  pnrsuin"-. 
Hunt  down  the  wretched  being  that  s^innetli  in  his  '^rave  ? 
He  fancied  his  idol  self  safe  from  the  wrath  of  his  fellows, 
But  Hades  rose  as  he  came  in,  to  point  at  him  tlie  finger  of  scorn ; 
And  again  must  he  meet  that  orphan-maid  to  answer  her,  face  to  face, 
And  her  wrongs  shall  cling  around  his  neck,  to  hinder  him  from  risin^^ 

with  the  just : 
For  his  last  most  solemn  act  hath  linked  his  name  with  liar, 
And  the  crime  of  Ananias  is  branded  on  his  brow  ! 

A  good  man  commendetli  his  cause  to  the  one  great  Patron  of  innocence, 
Convinced  of  justice  at  the  last,  and  sure  of  good  meanwhile. 


OF  WEALTH.  85 

He  knoweth  lie  hath  a  Guardian,  wise  and  kind  and  strong, 

And  can  thank  Him  for  giving,  or  refusing,  the  trusit  or  the  curse  of 

riches  : 
His  confidence  standetli  as  a  rock ;  lie  dreadeth  not  malice  nor  caprice, 
Nor  the  whisperings  of  artful  men,  nor  envious  secret  influence  ; 
He  scornetli  servile  compromise,  and  the  pliant  mouthings  of  deceit; 
Ho  maketii  not  a  show  of  love,  where  he  cannot  concede  esteem; 
He  regaideth  ill-got  wealth,  as  the  root  most  fruitful  of  wretchedness,  ' 
So  he  walkcth  in  strict  integrity,  leaning  on  God  and  his  right. 

No  gain,  but  by  its  price  ;  labour,  for  the  poor  man's  meal, 

Ofttimes  heart-sickening  toil,  to  win  him  a  morsel  for  his  hunger: 

Labour,  for  the  chapman  at  his  trade,  a  dull  unvaried  round, 

Year  after  year,  unto  death  ;  yea,  what  a  weariness  is  it ! 

Labour  for  tlic  pale-faced  scribe,  drudging  at  his  hated  desk. 

Who  bartereth  for  needful  pittance  the  untold  gold  of  health  ; 

Labour,  with  fear,  for  the  merchant,  whose  hopes  are  ventured  on  the 

sea ; 
Labour,  with  care,  for  the  man  of  law,  responsi!)!e  in  his  gains; 
Ijiibour,  with  envy  and  annoyance,  where  strangers  will  thee  VvCalth  ; 
linbour,  with  indolence  and  gloom,  where  wealth  fallcth  from  a  father ; 
I/ibour,  unto  all,  whether  aching  tliews,  or  aching  head,  or  spirit, — 
The  curse  on  the  sons  of  men.  in  all  their  states,  is  labour. 
Nevertheless,  to  the  diligent,  labour  bringeth  blessing ; 
The  thought  of  duty  sweetencth  toil,  and  travail  is  as  pleasure ; 
And  time  spent  in  doing  hath  a  comfort  that  is  not  for  the  idle  ; 
The  hardshij)  is  transmuted  into  joy,  by  the  dear  alchemy  of  Mercy. 
Labour  is  good  for  a  man,  bracing  up  his  energies  to  conquest, 
And  without  it  life  is  dull,  the  man  perceiving  himself  useless : 
For  wearily  the  body  groaneth,  like  a  door  on  rusty  hinges. 
And  the  grasp  of  the  mind  is  weakened,  as  the  t<ilons  of  a  caged  vulture. 
Wealth  hath  never  given  happiness,  but  often  hastened  misery  : 
Enough  hath  never  caused  misery,  but  often  cpiickened  happiness : 
Enough  is  less  than  thy  thought,  O  pampered  creature  of  society, 
And  he  that  hath  more  than  enough,  is  a  thief  of  the  rights  his  brother. 


86  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 


OF    I  N  V  E  x\ T I  O N. 

Man  is  proud  of  his  miiirl,  boaHtiiiir  tliat  it  fjivcth  him  rlivinity, 

Yet  with  all  its  powers  can  it  originate  nothing  : 

For  the  great  God  into  all  liis  works  halh  largely  poured  out  himself, 

Saving  one  special  property,  the  gi'and  prerogative, — Creation. 

To  improve  and  expand  is  ours,  as  well  as  to  limit  and  defeat : 

But  to  create  a  thought  or  a  thing  is  hopeless  and  impossible. 

Can  a  man  make  matter  ? — and  yet  this  would-be  god 

Thinketh  to  make  mind,  and  form  original  idea  : 

The  potter  must  have  his  clay,  and  the  mason  his  quarry. 

And  mind  must  drain  ideas  from  every  thing  around  it. 

Doth  the  soil  generate  herbs  f>r  the  torrid  air  breed  flies, 

Or  the  water  frame  its  monads,  or  the  mist  its  swarming  blight  ? — • 

Mediately,  through  thousand  generations,  having  seeds  withm  themselves, 

All  things,  rare  or  gross,  own  one  common  Father. 

Truly  spake  Wisdom,  There  is  nothing  new  under  the  sun  : 

We  only  arrange  and  combine  the  ancient  elements  of  all  things. 

Invention  is  activity  of  mind,  as  fire  is  air  in  motion. 

A  sharpening  of  the  spiritual  sight,  to  discern  hidden  aptitudes ; 

From  the  basket  and  acanthus,  is  modelled  the  graceful  capit^il : 

The  shadowed  profile  on  the  wall  helpeth  the  limner  to  his  likeness: 

The  footmarks  stamped  in  clay,  lead  on  the  thoughts  to  printing ; 

The  strange  skin  garments  cast  upon  the  sliorc  suggest  another  hemi- 
sphere :  (^') 

A  falling  apple  taught  the  sage  pervading  gravitation  ; 

The  Huron  is  certain  of  his  prey,  from  tracks  upon  the  grass ; 

And  shrewdness,  guessing  on  the  liint,  followeth  on  the  trail ; 

But  the  hint  must  be  given,  the  trail  must  be  there,  or  the  keenest  sight  is 
as  blindness. 

Behold  the  barren  reef,  wliic-h  an  earthquake  hath  just  left  dry ; 

It  hatJi  no  beauty  to  boast  of,  no  harvest  of  fair  fruits  : 

Bui  soon  the  lichen  fixeth  there,  and,  dying,  diggeth  its  own  "-rave,  (*^) 

And  softening  suns  and  splitting  frosts  crumble  the  reluctant  surface; 

And  cormorants  roost  there,  and  the  snail  addeth  its  slime, 

And  efts,  with  muddy  fset,  bring  their  welcome  tribute  ; 


OF  INVENTION.  87 

And  the  sea  casteth  out  her  dead,  wrapped  in  a  shroud  of  weeds  ; 

And  orderly  nature  arrangeth  again  the  disunited  atoms  : 

Anon,  tlie  cold  smooth  stone  is  warm  with  feathery  grass, 

And  the  light  sporules  of  tlie  fern  are  dropt  by  the  passing  wind. 

The  wood-pigeon,  on  swift  wing,  leaveth  its  crop-full  of  grain  ; 

The  squirrel's  jealous  care  planteth  the  llr-cone  and  the  filbert; 

Years  pass,  and  the  sterile  rock  is  rank  with  tangled  herbage  ; 

The  wild  vine  clingeth  to  the  brier,  and  ivy  runneth  graen  among  the  corn; 

Lordly  beeches  are  studded  on  the  down,  and  willows  crowd  around  the 

rivulet ; 
And  the  tall  pine  and  hazel  thicket  sliade  the  rambling  hunter. 
Shall  the  rock  boast  of  its  fertility  ?  shall  it  lift  the  head  in  pride  ? — 
Shall  the  mind  of  man  be  vain  of  the  harvest  of  its  thoughts  ? 
The  savage  is  that  i«ock  :  and  a  million  chances  from  without, 
By  little  and  little  acting  on  the  mind,  heap  up  the  hotbed  of  society; 
And  the  soul,  fed  and  fattened  on  the  thoughts  and  things  around  it, 
Groweth  to  perfection,  fidl  of  fruit,  the  fruit  of  foreign  seeds. 
For  we  learn  upon  a  hint,  we  find  upon  a  clue. 
We  yield  an  hundred-fold ;  but  the  great  sower  is  Analogy. 
There  must  be  an  acrid  sloe  before  a  luscious  peach, 
A  boll  of  rotting  llax  before  the  bridal  veil, 
An  egg  before  an  eagle,  a  thought  before  a  thing, 
A  spark  struck  into  tinder,  to  light  the  lamp  of  knowledge, 
A  slight  suggestive  nod  to  guide  the  watching  mind, 
A  half-seen  hand  upon  the  wall,  pointing  to  the  balance  of  Comparison. 
By  cidture  man  may  do  all  things,  short  of  the  miracle, — Creation  : 
Here  is  the  limit  of  thy  power, — here  let  thy  pride  be  stayed  : 
The  soil  may  be  rich,  and  the  mind  may  be  active,  but  neither  yield  unsown  ; 
The  eye  cannot  make  light,  nor  the  mind  make  spirit : 
Therefore  it  is  wise  in  man  to  name  all  novelty  invention : 
For  it  is  to  find  out  things  that  are,  not  to  create  the  unexisting : 
It  is  to  cling  to  contiguities,  to  be  keen  in  catching  likeness, 
And  with  energetic  elasticity  to  leap  the  gulfs  of  contrast. 
The  glob?  kneweth  not  increase,  either  of  tnatter  or  spirit ; 
Atoms  and  thoughts  are  used  again,  mixing  in  varied  combinations  ; 
And  though,  by  moidding  them  anew,  thou  makest  them  thine  own, 
Yet  have  they  served  thousands,  and  all  their  merit  is  of  God. 


88  PROVERBIAL  PIULOSOPHY. 


OF    RIDICULE. 

Seams  of  tho'.ighl  for  the  sage"^  bnnv,  and  laughing  lirifs  for  the  foors 

face  ; 
For  all  things  leave  their  track  in  t:ie  mind  ;  and  the  glass  of  the  mind  is 

faithful. 
Seest  thou  much  mirth  upon  the  cheek  ?  there  is  then  little  exercise  of 

virtue ; 
For  ho^that  looketh  on  tlie  world  cannot  ho  glad  and  good: 
Seest  thou  much  gravity  in  the  eye  ?  be  not  assured  of  finding  wisdom  ; 
For  she  hath  too  great  praise,  not  to  get  ma^iy  mimics. 
There  is  a  grave-faced  folly  ;  and  verily  a  Iangliter-lo\ing  wisdom  ; 
And  what,  if  surface-judges  account  it  vain  frivolity  ? 
There  is  indeed  an  evil  in  excess,  and  a  field  m-iy  lie  fallow  too  long ; 
Yet  meiTinient  is  often  as  a  froth,  that  mantleth  on  the  strong  mind  : 
And  note  thou  this  for  a  verity, — the  sr.btlest  thinker  when  alone, 
From  ease  of  thoughts  unbent,  will  laugh  the  loudest  with  his  fellows  : 
And  well  is  the  loveliness  of  wisdom  mirrored  in  a  cheerful  countenance  ; 
Justly  the  deepest  pools  are  proved  bj'  dimpling  eddies  ; 
For  that  a  true  philosophy  commandeth  an  innocent  life, 
And  the  unguilty  spirit  is  fighter  than  a  finnet's  heart : 
Yea,  there  is  no  cosmetic  like  a  holy  conscience  : 
The  eye  is  briglit  with  trust,  the  cheek  bloomed  over  with  affection, 
The  brow  unwrinkled  by  a  care,  and  the  lip  triumphant  in  its  gladness. 

Ami  for  your  grave-faced  folly,  need  not  far  to  look  for  her  ; 

IIow  seriously  on  trifles  dote  those  leaden  eyes, 

Hov/  ruefully  she  sigheth  after  chances  long  gone  by, 

How  sulkily  she  moaneth  over  evils  without  cure  ! 

I  liave  luiown  a  true-born  mirth,  the  child  of  innocence  and  wsdom, 

I  have  seen  a  base-born  gravity,  mingled  of  ignorance  and  guilt : 

And  again,  a  base-born  mirth,  springing  out  of  carelessness  and  folly, 

And  again,  a  true-born  gravity,  the  product  of  reflection  and  right  fear. 

The  wounded  partridge  hideth  in  a  furrow,  and  a  stricken  conscience  would 

be  left  alone ; 
But  when  its  breast  is  healed,  it  runneth  gladly  with  its  fellows  : 
Whereas  the  solitary  heron,  standing  in  the  sedgy  fen, 


OF  COMMENDATION.  89 

Holdeth  aloof  from  the  social  world,  intent  on  wiles  nnd  death. 

Need  but  of  light  phiio.  ophy  to  dire  tlio  world's  dread  langh  ; 

For  a  little  mind  coiir'eth  noNjiiety,  tn  illustrate  its  puny  self: 

But  the  sneer  rf  a  man's  own  comrades  trieth  the  muscles  of  courage, 

And  to  be  derided  in  his  home  is  as  a  viper  in  the  nest : 

The  laugh  of  a  hooting  world  Iiath  in  it  a  notion  of  sublimity. 

But  the  tittering  private  circle  stingeth  as  a  hive  of  wasps. 

!So.ne  have  commended  ridicule,  counting  it  the  test  of  truth,  (**) 

Biit  neither  wittily  nor  wise!)'' ;  for  truth  must  prove  ridicule  : 

Otlierwise  a  blunt  bulrush  is  to  pierce  the  proof  armour  of  argument, 

Because  the  stolidity  of  ignorance  took  it  for  a  barbed  shaft. 

Softer  is  the  hide  of  the  rhinoceros  than  the  heart  of  deriding  unbelief, 

And  tnith  is  idler  there  than  the  Bushman's  feathered  reed  : 

A  droll  conceit  parrieth  a  thrust  that  should  have  hit  tlie  conscience, 

And  the  leering  looks  of  hiunour  tickle  the  cJiildisli  mind  ; 

For  that  the  matter  of  a  man  is  mingled  most  with  folly, 

Neither  can  ho  long  endure  the  searching  gaze  of  wisdom. 

It  is  pleasanter  to  see  a  laughing  cheek  tlian  a  serious  forehead, 

And  there  liveth  not  one  among  a  thousand  whose  idol  is  not  pleasure. 

Ridicule  is  a  weak  weapon,  when  levelled  at  a  strong  mind  ; 

But  common  men  are  cowards,  and  dread  an  empty  laugh. 

Fear  a  nettle,  and  touch,  it  tenderly, — its  poison  shall  bum  thee  to  the 

shoulder ; 
But  grasp  it  with  bold  hand,  is  it  not  a  bundle  of  myrrh  ? 
Betray  mean  terror  of  ridicule,  thou  shalt  laid  fools  enough  to  mock  thee ; 
But  answer  thou  their  laughter  with  contempt,  and  the  scoffers  will  lick 

thy  feet. 


OF  C  0  M  M  E  N  D  A  T I O  X . 

Tjie  praise  of  holy  men  is  a  promise  of  praise  from  their  Master ; 

A  forerunning  earnest  of  thy  welcome, — Well  done,  faithful  servant ; 

A  rich  preludious  note,  that  droppeth  softly  on  thine  ear, 

To  tell  thee  the  chords  of  thy  heart  are  in  tune  with  the  choirs  of  heaven. 

Yet  is  it  a  dangerous  hearing,  for  the  sweetness  may  lull  thee  into  slumber. 

And  the,  cordial  qu;ilTed  vvilh  thirst  may  generate  the  fames  of  presumption. 

So  seek  it  not  for  itself,  but  taste,  and  go  gladly  on  thy  way. 


90  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

For  the  mariner  slacketh  not  his  sail,  though  the  sandal-groves  of  Araby 
alhire  him ; 

And  the  fragrance  of  that  incense  would  harm  thee,  as  when,  on  a  sum- 
mer evening, 

The  honied  yellow  flowers  of  the  broom  oppress  thy  charmed  sense : 

And  a  man  hath  too  much  of  praise,  for  he  praiseth  himself  continually  ; 

Neither  lacketh  he  at  any  time  self-commendation  or  excuse. 

Praise  a  fool,  and  slay  him  :  for  the  canvas  of  his  vanity  is  spread  ; 

His  bark  is  shallow  in  the  water,  and  a  sudden  gust  shall  sink  it : 

Praise  a  wise  man,  and  speed  him  on  his  way ;  for  he  carrieth  the  ballast 

of  humility, 
And  is  glad  when  his  course  is  cheered  by  the  sympathy  of  brethren  ashore. 
The  praise  of  a  good  man  is  good,  for  he  holdeth  up  the  mirror  of  Truth, 
That  Virtue  may  see  her  own  beauty,  and  delight  in  her  own  fair  face : 
The  praise  of  a  bad  man  is  evil,  for  he  hideth  the  deformity  of  Vice, 
Casting  the  mantle  of  a  queen  around  the  limbs  of  a  leper. 
Praise  is  rebuke  to  the  man  v/hose  conscience  alloweth  it  not : 
And  where  conscience  feeleth  it  her  due,  no  praise  is  better  tlian  a  little. 
He  that  despisetli  the  outward  appearance,  despiseth  the  esteem  of  his 

fellows ; 
And  he  that  overmuch  rcgardetli  it,  shall  earn  only  their  contempt : 
The  honest  commendation  of  an  equal  no  one  can  scorn,  and  be  blameless 
Yet  even  that  fair  fame  no  one  can  hunt  for  and  be  honoured : 
If  it  come,  accept  it  and  be  thankful,  and  be  thou  humble  in  accepting ; 
If  it  tarry,  be  not  thou  cast  down ;  the  bee  can  gather  honey  out  of  rue  : 
And  is  thine  aim  so  low,  that  the  breath  of  those  around  thee 
Can  speed  tliy  feathered  arrow,  or  retard  its  flight  ? 
The  child  shootetli  at  a  butterfly,  but  the  man's  mark  is  an  eagle ; 
And  while  his  fellows  talk,  he  hath  conquered  in  the  clouds. 
Ally  thee  to  truth  and  godliness,  and  use  the  talents  in  thy  charge : 
So  shalt  thou  walk  in  peace,  deserving,  if  not  having. 
With  a  friend,  praise  him  when  thou  canst ;  for  many  a  friendship  hath 

decayed, 
Like  a  plant  in  a  crowded  corner,  for  want  of  sunshine  on  its  leaves : 
With  another,  praise  him  not  often — otherwise  he  shall  despise  thee ; 
But  be  thou  frugal  in  commending ;  so  will  he  give  honour  to  thy  judg- 
ment: 
For  thou  that  dost  so  zealously  commend,  art  acknowledging  thine  own 
inferiority, 


OF  COMMENDATION.  91 

And  he,  thou   so  highly  hast   exalted,  shall  proudly  look  down  on  thy 
esteem. 

Wilt  thou  that  one  '•cniembor  a  thing  ? — praise  him  in  the  midst  of  thy 

advice ; 
Never  yet  forgat  man  the  word  whereby  he  hath  beon  praised. 
Better  to  be  censured  by  a  tliousand  fools,  than  reproved  but  by  one  man 

that  is  wise ; 
For  the  pious  are  slower  to  help  right,  than  the  profane  to  hinder  it : 
So,  where  the  world  rebuketh,  there  look  thou  for  the  excellent, 
And  be  suspicious  of  the  good,  which  wicked  men  can  praise. 
The  captain  bindeth  his  troop,  not  more  by  severity  than  kindness. 
And  justly,  should  roconipense  well-doing,  as  well  as  be  strict  with  an 

offender ; 
The  laurel  is  cheap  to  the  giver,  but  precious  in  his  sight  who  hath  won  it, 
And  the  heart  of  tlie  soldier  rojoiceth  in  the  approving  glance  of  his  chief. 
Timely  given  praise  is  even  better  than  the  merited  rebuke  of  censure, 
For  the  sun  is  more  needful  to  the  plant  than  the  knife  that  cuttcth  out  a 

canker ; 
Many  a  father  hatli  erred,  in  that  he  hath  withheld  reproof. 
But  more  have  mo.~tly  sinned,  in  withholding  praise  where  it  was  due : 
There  be  many  such  as  Eli  among  men ;  but  tliese  be  more  culpable  than 

Eli, 
Who  chill  tlie  fountain  of  exertion  by  the  freezing  looks  of  indifference  : 
Ye  call  a  man  easy  and  good,  yet  he  is  as  a  two-edged  sword  ; 
He  rebuketh  not  vice,  and  it  is  strong :  he  comforteth  not  virtue,  and  it 

faintcth. 
There  is  nothing  more  potent  among  men  tlian  a  gift  timely  bestowed ; 
And  a  gift  kept  back  where  it  was  hoped,  separatetli  cliief  friends : 
For  what  is  a  gift  but  a  symbol,  giving  substance  to  praise  and  esteem  ? 
And  where  is  a  sharper  arrow  than  the  sting  of  unmerited  neglect  ? 

Expect  not  praise  from  the  mean,  neither  gratitude  from  the  selfish  ; 

And  to  keep  the  proud  thy  friend,  see  thou  do  him  not  a  service : 

For,  beliold,  be  will  hate  thee  for  his  debt :  thou  hast  humbled  him  by 

giving ; 
And  his  stubbornness  never  shall  acknowledge  the  good  he  hath  taken 

*    from  thy  hand  : 
Yea,  rather  will  he  turn  and  be  thy  foe,  lest  thou  gather  from  his  friendship 


92  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

That  he  doth  accomit  tlice  creditor,  ai.d  standoth  in  tlie  second  place ; 

Still,  O  kindly  fcolinir  heart,  bo  not  thou  chillod  by  the  thankless, 

Neither  let  the  breatli  of  gratitude  fan  thee  ink)  momentary  heat. 

Do  good  for  good's  o\\-n  sake,  looking  not  to  worthiness  nor  love ; 

ning  thy  grain  among  the  rocks,  cast  thy  bread  upon  the  waters, 

His  claim  be  strongest  to  thy  help  who  is  thrown  most  helplessly  upon 

thee, — 
So  shalt  thou  have  a  better  praise.  an;l  reap  a  richer  Iiarvest  of  reward. 

If  a  man  hold  Hist  to  tliy  creed,  and  fit  his  thinking  to  thy  notions, 

Thou  shalt  take  him  for  a  man  right-minded,  yea,  and  excuse  his  evil : 

But  sccst  thou  not,  O  bigot,  that  thy  zeal  is  but  a  hunting  after  praise. 

And  the  full  pleasure  of  a  proselyte  lieth  in  the  flattering  of  self  ? 

A  man  of  many  praises  meeteth  many  welcomes. 

But  he  who  blameth  often,  shall  not  keep  a  friend ; 

The  velvet-coated  apricot  is  one  thing,  and  the  spiked  liorse-chestnut  is 

another ; 
A  handle  of  smootli  amber  is  pleasanter  than  rough  buck-hor;i. 
Show  me  a  popular  man ;  I  can  tell  thee  the  secret  of  his  power ; 
He  hath  soothed  them  with  glozhig  words,  lulling  their  ears  with  flatter}- ; 
The  smile  of  seeming  api'robation  is  ever  the  com^panion  of  his  presence, 
And  courteous  looks,  and  warm  regards,  earn  him  all  their  heai'ts. 

Xotl.'ing  but  may  be  better,  and  every  better  might  be  best ; 

The  blind  may  discern,  and  the  simple  prove,  fault  or  want  in  all  things  ; 

And  a  little  mind  looketh  on  the  lily  with  a  microscopic  eye, 

Eager  and  glad  to  pry  out  specks  on  its  robe  of  purity ; 

I'ut  a  great  mind  gazeth  on  the  sun,  glorying  in  his  brightness, 

And  taking  large  Lnowledge  of  his  good,  in  the  broad  prairie  of  creation: 

V»'hat,  thougJi  he  hatch  basili-ks  ?  what,  though  spots  are  on  the  sun  ? 

In  fullness  is  his  worth,  in  fullness  he  his  praise  ! 


OF    SELF- ACQUAINTANCE. 

Knowledge  holdeth  by  the  hilt,  and  heweth  out  a  road  to  conquest;,; 
Ignorance  graspeth  the  blade,  and  is  wounded  by  its  own  good  sword : 


OF  SELF-ACQUAINTANCE.  93 

Knowledge  distilletli  liealth  from  the  virulence  of  opposite  poisons ; 
Ignorance  niLxeth  wholesomes  unto  the  breeding  of  disease  : 
Knowledge  is  Ica^'ued  with  llie  universe,  and  findeth  a  friend  in  all  things  ; 
But  ignorance  is  every  where  a  stranger ;  unwelcome ;  ill  at  ease,  and 

out  of  place. 
A  man  is  helpless  and  unsafe  up  to  the  measure  of  his  ignorance, 
For  he  lacketh  perception  of  the  aptitudes  conmiending  such  a  matter  to 

his  use, 
Clutching  at  the  hora  of  danger,  while  he  judgeth  it  the  handle  of  security, 
Or  casting  his  anchor  so  widely,  that  the  granite  reef  is  just  within  the 

tetlier. 
Untaught  in  science  he  is  but  half  aUve,  stupidly  taking  note  of  nothing, 
Or  listening  with  dull  wonder  to  the  crafty  saws  of  an  empiric ; 
Simple  in  the  world,  he  triisteth  unto  knaves  ;  and  then  to  make  amends 

for  folly, 
Dea.leth  so  shrewdly  with  the  honest,  they  cannot  but  suspect  him  for  a 

thief; 
With  an  unknown  God,  he  maketli  mock  of  reason,  fathering  contrivance 

on  chance. 
Or  doting  with  superstitious  dretid  on  some  crooked  image  of  his  fancy : 
But  ignorant  of  self,  he  is  weakness  at  heart ;  the  keystone  crumljleth 

into  sand, 
There  is  panic  in  the  general's  tent,  the  oak  is  hollow  as  hemlock ; 
Though  the  warm  sap  creepeth  up  its  bark,  filling  out  the  sheaf  of  leaves, 
Though  knowledge  of  all  things  beside  add  proofs  of  seeming  vigour. 
Though  the  master-mind  of  the  royal  sage  feast  on  the  mysteries  oi" 

wisdom. 
Yet  ignorance  of  self  shall  bow  down  the  sjiirit  of  a  Solomon  to  idols ; 
The  storm  of  tcmpiation,  sweeping  by,  sliali  snap  that  oak  like  a  reed, 
And  the  proud  luxuriance  of  its  tufted  crown  drag  it  the  sooner  to  tlie  dust. 

Youth,  conlident  in  self,  tumpc  reth  witli  dangerous  dalliance. 
Till  the  vice  his  heart  once  hated  hath  locked  him  in  her  foul  embrace : 
Manhood,  tlirough  zeal  of  doing  good,  seeketh  high  place  for  its  occasions, 
Unwitting  that  the  bleak  mountain-air  will  nip  the  tender  budding  of  Ids 

motives ; 
Or  painfully,  for  love  of  truth,  he  climbeth  the  ladder  of  science, 
Till  pride  of  intellect,  heating  his  heart,  warpeth  it  aside  to  delusion : 
The  maiden,  to  give  shadow  to  her  fairness,  plaiteth  her  raven  hair, 


94  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Heedlessly  weaving  for  her  soul  the  silken  net  of  vanity : 

The  gray-beard  looketh  on  his  gold,  till  he  loveth  its  yellow  smile, 

Unconscious  of  the  bright  decoy  which  is  luring  his  heart  unto  avarice : 

Wrath  avoideth  no  quarrel,  jealousy  counteth  its  suspicions, 

Pining  envy  gazeth  still,  and  melancholy  seeketh  solitude  : 

The  sensitive  broodeth  on  his  slights,  the  fearful  poreth  over  horrors, 

The  train  of  wantonness  is  fired,  the  nerves  of  indecision  are  unstrung  ; 

Each  special  pronencss  unto  harm  is  pampered  by  ignorant  indulgence, 

And  the  man,  for  want  of  warning,  yieldeth  to  the  apt  temptation. 

A  smith  at  the  loom,  and  a  weaver  at  the  forge,  wej-e  but  sorry  craftsmen  ; 

And  a  ship  that  saileth  on  every  wind  never  shall  reach  her  port : 

Yet  there  be  thousands  among  men  who  heed  not  the  leaning  of  their 

talents, 
But,  cutting  against  the  grain,  toil  on  to  no  good  end  ; 
And  the  light  of  a  thoughtful  spirit  is  quenched  beneath  the  bushel  of 

commerce. 
While  meaner  plodding  minds  are  driven  up  the  mountain  of  philosophy : 
The  cedar  withereth  on  a  wall,  while  the  house-leek  is  fattening  in  a 

hot-bed. 
And  the  dork  with  its  rank  leaves  hideth  the  sun  from  violets. 
To  every  thing  a  fitting  place,  a  proper  honourable  use  ; 
The  humblest  measure  of  mind  is  bright  in  its  humble  sphere  : 
The  glowworm,  creeping  in  the  hedge,  lighteth  her  evening  torch, 
And  her  fiir-ofF  mate,  on  gossamer  sail,  steereth  his  course  by  that  star : 
But  ignorance  mocketh  at  proprieties,  bringing  out  the  glowworm  at  noon, 
And  setteth  the  faults  of  mediocrity  in  the  full  blaze  of  wisdom. 
Ravens  croaking  in  darkness,  and  a  skylark  trilling  to  the  sun, 
The  voice  of  a  screech-owl  from  a  ruin,  and  the  blackbird's  whistle  in  a 

wood, 
A  cushion-footed  camel  for  the  sands,  and  a  swift  reindeer  for  the  snows, 
A  naked  skin  for  Ethiopia,  and  rich  soft  furs  for  the  Pole  : 
In  all  things  is  there  a  fitness  :  discord  with  discord  hath  its  music  ; 
And  the  harmony  of  nature  is  preserved  by  each  one  knowing  his  place. 

The  blind  at  an  easel,  the  palsiwl  with  a  graver,  the  halt  making  for  the 

goal. 
The  deaf  ear  tuning  psaltery,  the  stammerer  discoursing  eloquence, — 
What  wonder  if  all  fail  ?  the  shaft  fiieth  wide  of  the  mark, 


or  SELF-ACQUAINTANCE.  95 

Alike  if  itself  be  crooked,  or  the  bow  be  strung  awry ; 

And  the  mind  which  were  excellent  in  one  way,  but  foolish!}  toileth  in 

another, 
What  is  it  but  an  ill-strung  bow,  and  its  aim  a  crooked  arrow  ? 
By  knowledge  of  self,  thou  provest  thy  powers  ;  put  not  the  racer  to  the 

plough, 
Nor  goad  the  toilsome  ox  to  wager  his  slowness  with  the  fleet : 
Consider  thy  failings,  heed  thy  propensities,  search  out  thy  latent  virtues, 
Analyze  the  doubtful,  cultivate  the  good,  and  crush  the  head  of  evil ; 
So  shalt  thou  catch  with  quick  hand  the  golden  ball  of  opportunity  ; 
The  warrior  armed  shall  be  ready  for  the  fray,  beside  his  bridled  steed ; 
Thou  shalt  ward  eft"  special  harms,  and  have  the  sway  of  circumstance, 
And  turn  to  thy  special  good  the  common  current  of  events  ; 
Choosing  from  the  wardrobe  of  the  world,  thou  shalt  suitably  clothe  tliy 

spirit, 
Nor  thrust  the  white  hand  of  peace  into  the  gauntlet  of  defiance  : 
The  shepherd  shall  go  with  a  staff,  and  conquer  by  sling  and  stone ; 
The  soldier   shall  let  alone  the  distiifF,  and  the  scribe  lay  down  the  sword ; 
The  man  unlearned  shall  keep  silence,  and  learn  one  attribute  of  wisdom  ; 
The  sage  be  sparing  of  his  lessons  before  unhearing  ears  : 
Calm  shalt  thou  be,  as  a  lion  in  repose,  conscious  of  passive  strength, 
And  the  shock  that  splitteth  the  globe,  shall  not  unthrone  thy  self-possession. 

Acquaint  thee  with  thyself,  O  man  !  so  shalt  thou  be  humble  : 

The  hard  hot  desert  of  thy  heart  shall  blossom  with  the  lily  and  the  rose  ; 

The  frozen  cliffs  of  pride  shall  melt  as  an  iceberg  in  the  tropics ; 

The  bitter  fountains  of  self-seeking  be  sweeter  than  the  waters  of  the 

Nile. 
But  if  thou  lack  that  wisdom, — thy  frail  skift'  is  doomed. 
On  stronger  eddy  whirling  to  the  dreadful  gorge  ; 
Untaught  in  that  grand  lore, — thou  standest,  cased  in  steel, 
To  dare  with  mocking  unbelief  the  thunderbolts  of  heaven. 
For  look  now  around  thee  on  the  universe,  behold  how  all  tilings  serve 

thee ; 
The  teeming  soil,  and  the  buoyant  sea,  and  undulating  air, 
Golden  crops,  and  bloomy  fruits,  and  flowers,  and  precious  gems. 
Choice  perfumes,  and  fair  sights,  soft  touches,  and  sweet  music : 
For  thee,  shoaling  up  the  bay,  crowd  the  linny  nations, 
For  thee,  the  cattle  on  a  thousand  hills  live,  and  labour,  and  die  : 


96  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Light  is  tliy  daily  slave,  darkness  invitclh  thee  to  slumber ; 

Thou  art  scn'cd  by  Uie  hands  of  Beauty,  and  Sublimity  kneeletli  at  thy 

feet : 
Arise,  thou  sovereign  of  creation,  and  behold  thy  glory ! 
Yet  more,  thou  hast  a  mind  ;  intellect  wingetli  thco  to  heaven, 
'J'endeth  thy  state  on  earth,  and  by  it  thou  divest  down  to  hell ; 
TJiou  hast  measured  the  belt  of  Satuni,  thou  hast  weighed  the  moons  of 

Jupiter, 
And  seen,  by  reason's  eye.  the  centre  of  thy  ghjbe  ; 
Subtly  hast  thou  numbered  by  Inllions  the  leagues  between  sun  luid  sun, 
And  noted  in  thy  book  the  coming  of  their  shadows  : 
Witli  marvellous  unerring  truth  thou  knowest  to  an  inch  and  to  an  instant, 
The  where  and  the  when  of  the  comet's  palh  th.it  shall  seem  to  rush  by 

at  thy  command : 
Arise,  thou  king  of  mind,  and  survey  tliy  dignity  ! 
Yet  more, — for  once  believe  roligion's  flattering  tale  ; 
Thoi^  hast  a  soul,  aye,  and  a  God, — but  be  not  therefore  humbled : 
Thy  Maker's  self  was  glad  to  live  and  die — a  man  ; 
The  brighte.st  jewel  in  his  crown  is  voluntary'  manhood : 
By  deep  dishonour  and  great  price,  bougiit  he  tliat  envied  freedom, 
But  thou  wast  born  an  heir  of  ;dl,  thy  Master  scarce  could  earn. 
O  climax  unto  prid-',  O  triumph  of  humanity, 
O  triple  crown  upon  thy  brow,  most  liigh  and  mighty  Self! 
Arise  thou  Lord  of  all,  thou  greater  than  a  God  ! — 
How  saidst  thou,  wretched  being  ? — cast  thy  glance  within  ; 
Regard  that  painted  sepulchre,  the  hovel  of  thy  heart. 
Ha !  v,-ith  what  fearl'ul  imagery  swarmeth  that  small  chamber ; 
The  horrid  eye  of  murder  scowling  in  the  dark. 
The  bony  hand  of  avarice  filching  from  the  poor, 
The  lurid  fires  of  lust,  the  idiot  face  of  folly, 

The  sickening  deed  of  cruelty,  the  foul,  fierce  orgies  of  the  drunken, 
Weak  contemptible  vanity,  stubborn  stolid  unbelief. 
Envy's  devilish  sneer,  and  the  vile  features  of  ingratitude, — 
Man,  hast  thou  seen  enough  ?  or  are  Uiose  fidl  proof 
That  thou  ait  a  miracle  of  mercy,  and  all  thy  dignity  is  dross  ? 

Well  said  the  wisdom  of  earth,  O  mortal,  know  thyself; 
But  better  the  wisdom  of  heaven,  O  man,  learn  tliou  thy  God : 
By  knowledge  of  self  thou  art  conusant  of  e\il,  and  mailed  in  panoply  to 
meet  it : 


OF  CRUELTY  TO  ANIMALS.  97 

By  knowledge  of  God  cometh  knowledge  of  good,  and  universal  love  is  at 

tliy  heart.  « 

Every  creature  knoweth  its  capacities,  running  in  the  road  of  instinct, 
And  reason  must  not  lag  behind,  but  serve  itself  of  all  proprieties : 
Tlie  swift  to  tlie  race,  and  the  strong  to  the  burden,  and  tlie  wise  for  right 

direction ; 
For  self-knowledge  filleth  with  acceptance  its  niche  in  the  temple  of  utiUty : 
But  vainly  wilt  thou  look  for  that  knowledge,  till  the  clue  of  all  truth  is 

in  thy  hand, 
For  the  labyrinth  of  man's  heart  windeth  in  complicate  deceivings  : 
Thou  canst  not  sound  its  depths  with  the  shallow  pliunb-line  of  reason, 
Till  religion,  the  pilot  of  the  soul,  have  lent  thee  her  unfatliomable  coil : 
Therefore,  for  this  grand  knowledge,  and  knowledge  is  the  parent  of  do- 
minion, 
Leam  God,  tliou  shalt  know  thyself ;  yea,  and  shalt  have  mastery  of  all 
tilings. 


OF   CRUELTY    TO   ANIMALS. 

Shame  upon  thee,  savage  monarch-man,  proud  monopolist  of  reason ; 
Shame  upon  creation's  lord,  the  fierce  ensanguined  despot : 
What,  man  !  are  there  not  enough,  hunger,  and  diseases,  and  fatigue, — 
And  yet  must  thy  goad  or  thy  thong  add  another  sorrow  to  existence  ? 
What !    art  thou  not  content  thy  sin  hath  dragged  down  suffering  and 

death 
On  the  poor  dumb  servants  of  thy  comfort,  and  yet  tliou  must  rack  them 

\vith  thy  spite  ? 
The  prodigal  heir  of  creation  hath  gambled  away  his  all, — 
Shall  he  add  torment  to  the  bondage,  that  is  galling  his  forfeit  serfs  ? 
The  leader  in  nature's  pajan  himself  hath  marred  her  psaltery, 
Shall  he  multiply  the  din  of  discord  by  overstraining  all  the  strings  ? 
The  rebel  hath  fortified  his  stronghold,  shutting  in  his  vassals  with  him — 
Shall  he  aggravate  the  woes  of  the  besieged  by  oppression  from  within  ? 
Thou  twice  deformed  imago  of  thy  Maker,  thou  hateful  representative  of 

Love, 
For  very  shame  be  merciful,  be  kind  vnito  the  creatures  tliou  hast  ruined ; 
Earth  and  her  niiUion  tribes  are  cursed  for  thy  sake  ; 

6 


98  PROVERBIAL  V'lIILOSOPIIY. 

Earth  and  her  iniUion  tribes  still  writhe  beneath  thy  cruelty  : 

Liveth  there  but  one  anioiifr  th^''  Hiillion  that  shall  not  bear  witness  against 

thee? 
A  pensioner  of  land  or  air  or  h'<\.  that  hath  not  whereof  it  will  accuse 

tliee? 
From  the  elephant  toiling  at  a  launch,  to  the  shrew-mouse  in  the  harvest- 
field, 
From  the  whale  which  the  harpoonor  hath  stricken,  to  the  minnow  caught 

upon  a  pin, 
From  the  albatross  wearied  in  its  Hirrht,  to  the  wTen  in  her  covered  nest, 
From  the  death-moth  and  lace-wiiioed  dragon-fly,  to  the  ludy-bird  and  the 

gnat. 
The  verdict  of  all  things  is  unanimous,  finding  their  master  cruel : 
The  dog,  thy  humble  friend,  lliy  trusting,  honest  friend ; 
The  ass,  thine  uncomplaining  sbive,  drudging  from  morn  to  even ; 
The  lamb,  and  the  timorous  hare,  and  the  laboring  ox  at  plough  ; 
The  speckled  trout,  bar^cing  in  ib.."  shallow,  and  the  jiartridge,  gleaning  in 

the  stubble, 
And  the  stag  at  bay,  and  the  worm  in  thy  path,  and  the  wild  bird  pining 

in  captivity. 
And  all  things  that  minister  alike  to  thy  life  and  thy  comfort  and  thy  pride, 
Testify  with  one  sad  voice  that  man  is  a  cruel  master. 

Verily,  they  are  all  thint*  freely  mayst  thou  sen'e  thee  of  tliem  all ; 
They  are  thine  by  gift  for  thy  needs,  to  lie  used  in  all  gratitude  and  kind- 
ness : 
Gratitude  to  their  God  and  thine, — tlieir  Father  and  thy  Father, 
Kindness  to  them  who  toil  for  thee,  and  help  thee  with  their  all : 
For  meat,  but  not  by  wantonness  of  slaving ;  for  burden,  but  with  limits 

of  humanity ; 
For  luxury,  but  not  tln-ough  torture;  for  draught,  but  according  to  the 

strength : 
For  a  dog  cannot  plead  his  own  right  nor  render  a  reason  for  exemption, 
Nor  give  a  soft  answer  unto  wrath,  to  turn  aside  the  undeserved  lash  ; 
The  galled  ox  cannot  complain,  nor  supplicate  a  moment's  respite ; 
The  spent  horse  hideth  his  distress,  till  he  panteth  out  his  spirit  at  the 

goal ; 
Also,  in  the  winter  of  life,  when  worn  by  constant  toil, 
If  ingratitude  forget  his  senices,  he  cannot  bring  them  to  remembrance : 


OF  FRIENDSHIP.  99 

Behold,  he  is  faint  with  hunger ;  the  big  tear  standeth  in  his  eye  ; 

His  skin  is  sore  with  stripes,  and  he  tottereth  beneath  his  burden ; 

Hig  limbs  are  stiff  with  age,  his  sinews  have  lost  their  vigour, 

And  pain  is  stamped  upon  his  face,  while  he  wrestletli  unequally  with  toil; 

Yet  once  more  mutely  and  meekly  endureth  he  the  crushing  blow ; 

That  struggle  halh  cracked  his  heart-strings, — the  generous  brute  is  dead  ! 

Liveth  there  no  advocate  for  him  ?  no  judge  to  avenge  his  wrongs  ? 

No  voice  that  shall  be  heard  in  his  defence  ?  no  sentence  to  be  passed  on 

his  oppressor  ? 
Yea,  the  sad  eye  of  the  tortured  pleadeth  pathetically  for  him  : 
Yea,  all  the  justice  in  heaven  is  roused  in  indignation  at  his  woes  : 
Yea,  all  the  pity  upon  earth  sliall  call  down  a  curse  upon  the  cruel : 
Yea,  the  burning  malice  of  the  wicked  is  tiieir  own  exceeding  punishment. 
The  Angel  of  Mercy  stoppeth  not  to  comfort,  but  passeth  by  on  the  other 

side, 
And  hath  no  tear  to  shed  wlien  a  cruel  man  is  damned. 


OF    FRIENDSHIP. 

As  frost  to  the  bud,  and  blight  to  the  blossom,  even  such  is  self-uiterest  to 

friendship : 
For  Confidence  cannot  dwell  v/here  Selfishness  is  porter  at  the  gate. 
If  thou  see  thy  friend  to  be  selfish,  thou  canst  not  be  sure  of  his  honestj- ; 
And  in  seeking  thine  own  weal,  thou  hast  wronged  the  reliance  of  thy 

friend. 
Fiattory  hideth  her  vaniishcd  face  when  Friendship  sitteth  at  his  board  ; 
And  the  door  is  shut  upon  Suspicion,  but  Candour  is  bid  glad  welcome. 
For  Friendship  abhorreth  doubt,  its  life  is  in  mutual  trust, 
And  perisheth,  when  artful  praise  pro\'eth  it  is  sought  for  a  purpose. 
A  man  may  be  good  to  thee  at  times,  and  render  thee  mighty  service, 
Whom  yet  thy  secret  soul  could  not  desire  as  a  friend ; 
For  the  sum  of  life  is  in  trifles,  and  though,  in  the  weightier  masses, 
A  man  refuse  thee  not  his  purse,  nay,  his  all  in  thine  utmost  need, 
Yet,  if  thou  canst  not  feel  that  his  character  agreeth  with  thine  own, 
Thou  never  wilt  call  liim  friend,  though  tliou  render  him  a  heart  full  of 

gTatitude. 
A  coarse  man  grindeth  harshly  the  finer  feelings  of  his  brother ; 


100  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

A  common  mind  will  soon  depart  from  the  dull  companionsliip  of  wisdom; 
A  weak  soul  dareth  not  to  follow  in  the  track  of  vigour  and  decision  ; 
And  the  worldly  regardeth  with  scorn  the  seeming  foolishness  of  faith. 
A  mountain  is  made  up  of  atoms,  and  friendship  of  little  matters, 
And  if  the' atoms  liold  not  together,  the  mountain  is  crumbled  into  dust. 

Come,  I  will  show  thee  a  friend ;  I  will  paint  one  worthy  of  thy  trust. : 
Thine  heart  shall  not  weary  of  him  :  thou  shalt  not  secretly  despise  him. 
Thou  art  long  in  learning  him,  in  unravelling  all  his  worth ; 
And  he  dazzleth  not  thine  eyes  at  first,  to  be  darkened  in  thy  sight  afterward, 
But  risetli  from  small  beginnings,  and  rDacheth  the  height  of  thy  esteem. 
He  remembereth  that  thou  art  only  man ;  he  expecteth  not  great  things 

from  thee ; 
And  his  forbearance  toward  thee  silently  teacheth  thee  to  be  considerate 

unto  him. 
He  despiseth  not  courtesy  of  manner,  nor  neglecteth  the  decencies  of  life : 
Nor  mocketh  the  failings  of  others,  nor  is  harsh  in  his  censures  before  thee ; 
For  so,  how  couldst  thou  tell,  if  he  talketh  not  of  thee  in  ridicule  ? 
He  withholdeth  no  secret  from  thee,  and  rejecteth  not  thine  in  turn ; 
He  shareth  Lis  joys  wnth  thee,  and  is  glad  to  bear  part  in  thy  sorrows. 
Yet  one  thing,  he  loveth  thee  too  well  to  show  thee  the  corruptions  of  his 

heart : 
For  as  an  ill  example  strengtheneth  the  hands  of  the  wicked, 
So  to  put  forward  thy  guilt  is  a  secret  poison  to  thy  friend : 
For  the  evil  in  his  nature  is  comforted,  and  he  warreth  more  weakly  against  it, 
If  he  find  that  the  friend  wliom  he  honoureth,  is   a  man  more  sinful  than 

himself. 
I  hear  the  communing  of  friends  ;  ye  speak  out  the  fullness  of  your  souls, 
And  being  but  men,  as  men,  ye  own  to  all  the  sympathies  of  manhood  :  ('*) 
Confidence  openeth  the  lips,  indulgence  beameth  from  the  eye, 
The  tongue  loveth  not  boasting,  the  heart  is  made  glad  with  kindness : 
And  one  standeth  not  as  on  a  liill,  beckoning  to  the  other  to  follow. 
But  ye  toil  up  hand  in  hand,  and  carry  each  other's  burdens. 
Ye  commune  of  hopes  and  aspirations,  the  fervent  breathings  of  the  heart, 
Ye  speak  with  pleasant  interchange  the  treasured  secrets  of  affection, 
Ye  listen  to  the  voice  of  complaint,  and  whisper  the  language  of  comfort, 
And  as  in  a  double  solitude,  ye  think  in  each  other's  hearing. 

Choose  thy  friend  discreetly,  and  see  thou  consider  his  station, 


OF  FRIENDSHIP.  101 

For  the  graduated  scale  of  ranks  accordeth  with  the  ordinance  of  heaven  : 

If  a  low  companion  ripen  to  a  friend,  in  the  full  sunshine  of  thy  confidence, 

Know,  that  for  old  age  thou  hast  heaped  up  sorrow  : 

For  thou  sinkest  to  that  level,  and  thy  kin  shall  scorn  thee. 

Yea,  and  the  menial  thou  hast  pampered  haply  shall  neglect  thee  in  thy 

death  : 
And  if  thou  reachest  up  to  high  estates,  thinking  to  herd  with  princes, 
What  art  thou  but  a  footstool,  though  so  near  a  throne  ? 
O  rush  among  the  lilies,  be  taught  thou  art  a  weed ; 
O  brier  among  the  cedars,  hot  contempt  shall  burn  thee. 
But  thou,  friend  and  scholar,  select  from  thine  own  caste, 
And  make  not  an  intimate  of  one,  thy  servant  or  thy  master ; 
For  only  friendship  among  men  is  the  true  republic,       ' 
Where  all  have  equality  of  service,  and  all  have  freedom  oT  command. 
And  yet,  if  thou  wilt  take  my  judgment,  be  shy  of  too  much  openness 

with  any, 
Lest  thou  repent  hereafter,  should  he  turn  and  rend  thee  : 
For  many  an  apostate  friend  hath  abused  unguarded  confidence,  • 
And  bent  to  selfish  ends  the  secret  of  tlie  soul. 

Absence  strengtheneth  friendship,  where  the  last  recollections  were  kindly ; 

But  it  must  be  good  wine  at  the  last,  or  absence  shall  weaken  it  daily. 

A  rare  thing  is  faith,  and  friendship  is  a  marvel  among  men. 

Yet  strange  faces  call  they  friends,  and  say  they  believe,  when  they  doubt. 

Those  hours  are  not  lost  that  are  spent  in  cementing  affection ; 

For  a  friend  is  above  gold,  precious  as  the  stores  of  the  mind. 

Bo  sparing  of  advice  by  words,  but  teach  thy  lesson  by  example  ; 

For  the  vanity  of  man  may  be  wounded,  and  retort  unkindly  upon  thee. 

There  be  some  that  never  had  a  friend,  because  they  were  gross  and 

selfish  ; 
Worldliness,  and  apathy,  and  pride,  leave  not  many  that  are  worthy  : 
But  one  who  meriteth  esteem,  need  never  lack  a  friend  ; 
P^or  as  thistle-down  flieth  abroad,  and  casteth  its  anchor  in  the  soil. 
So  philanthropy  yearneth  for  a  heart,  where  it  may  take  root  and  blossom. 

Yet  I  liear  the  child  of  sensibility  moaning  at  the  wintry  cold, 
Wlierein  the  mists  of  selfishness  liave  wrapped  the  society  of  men  : 
He  grieveth,  and  hath  deep  reasons  ;  for  falsehood  hath  wronged  his  trust. 
And  the  breaches  in  liis  bleeding  heart  have  been  filled  with  the  briers  of 
suspicion. 


102  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

For,  alas,  how  fovv  be  friend;',  of  whom  charity  hath  hoped  well ! 

How  few  there  be  among  men  who  forget  themselves  for  others  ! 

Each  one  seeketh  his  own,  and  looketh  on  his  brethren  as  rivals, 

Masking  envy  with  friendship,  to  serve  his  secret  ends. 

And  tlie  world,  that  corriqrtoth  all  good,  hath  wronged  that  sacred  name, 

For  it  calleth  any  man  friend,  who  is  not  known  for  an  enemy ; 

And  such  be  as  the  flies  of  summer,  while  plenty  sitteth  at  thy  board ; 

But  who  can  wonder  at  their  flight  from  the  cold  denials  of  want  ? 

Such  be  as  vultures  round  a  carcass,  assembled  together  for  the  feast : 

But  a  sudden  noise  scareth  them,  and  forthv/ith  are  they  specks  among  the 
clouds. 

There  be  few,  O  child  of  sensibility,  who  deserve  to  have  tliy  confidence  ; 

Yet  weep  n.ot,  for  there  are  some,  and  such  some  live  for  thee : 

To  them  is  the  chilling  world  a  drear  and  barren  scene, 

And  gladly  seek  they  such  as  thou  art,  for  seldom  find  they  tiie  occasion : 

For,  though  no  man  excludeth  himself  from  the  high  capability  of  friend- 
ship, 

Yet  verily  is  the  man  a  marvel  whom  truth  can  write  a  friend. 


OF    LOVE. 

There  is  a  fragrant  blossom,  that  uuiketh  glad  the  garden  of  the  heart : 
Its  root  lieth  deep  ;  it  is  delicate,  yet  lasting,  as  the  lilac  crocus  of  autumn ; 
Jioncliness  and  thought  are  the  dews  that  water  it  mom  and  even ; 
Memoi-y  and  Absence  cherish  it,  as  the  balmy  breathings  of  the  south : 
Its  sun  is  the  brightness  of  affection,  and  it  bloometh  in  the  borders  of 

Hope ; 
Its  companions  are  gentle  flowers,  and  the  brier  withereth  by  its  side. 
I  saw  it  budding  in  beauty  ;  I  felt  the  magic  of  its  smile  ; 
The  violet  rejoiced  beneath  it,  tlie  rose  stooped  down  and  kissed  it ; 
And  I  thought  some  cherub  had  planted  there  a  truant  flower  of  Eden, 
As  a  bird  bringeth  foreign  seeds,  tliat  they  may  flourish  in  a  kindly  soil. 
I  saw,  and  asked  not  its  name ;  I  knew  no  language  was  so  wealthy, 
Though  every  heart  of  every  clime  findeth  its  echo  within. 
And  yet  what  shall  I  say  ?    Is  a  sordid  man  capable  of — Love  ? 


OF  LOVE.  103 

Hath  a  seducer  known  it  ?     Can  an  adulterer  perceive  it  ? 

Or  he  that  seeketh  strange  women,  can  lie  feel  its  purity  ? 

Or  he  that  changeth  often,  can  he  know  its  truth  ? 

Longing  for  another's  happiness,  yet  often  destroying  its  own ; 

Chaste,  and  looking  up  to  God,  as  the  fountain  of  tenderness  and  joy  ; 

Quiet,  yet  flowing  deep,  as  the  Rhine  among  rivers  ; 

Lasting,  and  knowing  not  change — it  '.\alketh  with  Truth  and  Sincerity. 

Love  : — what  a  ^"olume  in  a  word,  an  ocean  in  a  tear, 

A  seventh  heaven  in  a  glance,  a  whirlwind  in  a  sigh, 

The  lightning  in  a  touch,  a  millennium  in  a  moment : 

What  consecrated  joy  or  woe  in  blest  or  blighted  love  ! 

For  it  is  that  native  poetry  springing  up  indigenous  to  Mind, 

The  heart's  own-country  music  thrilling  all  its  chords, 

The  story  without  an  end  that  angels  throng  to  hear, 

The  word,  the  king  of  words,  carved  on  Jehovah's  heart ! 

Oh  !  call  thou  snake-eyed  malice  mercy,  call  envy  honest  praise, 

Count  selfish  craft  for  wisdom,  and  coward  treachery  for  prudence, 

Do  homage  to  blaspheming  unbelief  as  to  bold  and  free  philosophy. 

And  estimate  the  recklessness  of  license  as  the  ritrlit  attribute  of  liberty, — 

But  with  the  world,  thou  friend  and  scholar,  stain  not  this  pure  name  ; 

Nor  suffer  the  majesty  of  Love  to  be  likened  to  the  meanness  of  desire : 

For  Love  is  no  more  such,  than  seraphs'  hymns  are  discord, 

And  such  is  no  more  Love,  than  ^Etna's  breath  is  suunner. 

Love  is  a  sweet  idolatry,  enslaving  all  the  soul, 

A  mighty  spiritual  force,  warring  with  tlie  dullness  of  matter. 

An  angel-mind  brenthed  into  a  mortal,  though  fallen,  yet  how  beautiful ! 

All  the  devotion  of  tiie  heart  in  all  its  deptli  and  grandeur. 

Behold  that  pale  geranium,  pent  within  the  cottage  window  ; 

How  yearningly  it  stretcheth  to  the  hght  its  sickly  long-stalked  leaves, 

How  it  straineth  upward  to  the  sun,  coveting  liis  sweet  influences, 

How  real  a  living" sacrifice  to  the  God  of  all  its  worship  ! 

Such  is  the  soul  that  loveth ;  and  so  the  rose-tree  of  affection 

Bcndeth  its  every  leaf  to  look  on  those  dear  eyes, 

Its  every  blushing  petal  basketh  in  their  light. 

And  all  its  gladness,  all  its  life,  is  hanging  on  their  love. 

If  die  love  of  the  heart  is  blighted,  it  buddeth  not  again  ; 


104  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

If  that  pleasant  song  is  forgotten,  it  is  to  be  learnt  no  more : 

Yet  often  will  thought  look  back,  and  weep  over  early  affection  ; 

And  the  dim  notes  of  that  pleasant  song  will  be  heard  as  a  reproachful 

spirit, 
Moaning  in  .-Eolian  strains  over  the  desert  of  the  heart, 
Where  the  hot  siroccos  of  the  world  have  withered  its  one  oasis. 


OF    MARRIAGE. 

Seek  a  good  wife  of  thy  God,  for  she  is  the  best  gift  of  his  providence ; 

Yet  ask  not  in  bold  confidence  that  which  he  hath  not  promised. 

Thou  knowest  not  his  good-will : — be  thy  prayer  then  submissive  there- 
unto ; 

And  leave  thy  petition  to  his  mercy,  assured  that  he  will  deal  well  with 
thee. 

If  thou  art  to  have  a  wife  of  thy  youth,  she  is  now  living  on  the  earth  ; 

Therefore  think  of  her,  and  pray  for  her  weal ;  yea,  though  thou  hast  not 
seen  her. 

They  that  love  early  become  like-minded,  and  the  tempter  touches  them  not ; 

The]f  grow  up  leaning  on  each  other,  as  the  olive  and  vine. 

Youth  longeth  for  a  kindred  spirit,  and  yeameth  for  a  heart  that  can  com- 
mune with  his  own ; 

He  meditateth  night  and  day,  doting  on  the  image  of  his  fancy. 

Take  heed  that  what  charmeth  tliee  is  real,  nor  springeth  of  thine  own 
imagination ; 

And  suffer  not  trifles  to  win  thy  love  ;  for  a  wife  is  thine  unto  death. 

The  harp  and  the  voice  may  thrill  thee, — sound  may  enchant  thine  ear, 

But  consider  thou,  the  hand  will  wither,  and  the  sweet  notes  turn  to  dis- 
cord : 

The  eye,  so  brilliant  at  even,  may  be  red  with  sorrow  in  the  morning ; 

And  the  sylph-like  form  of  elegance  must  writhe  in  the  crampings  of  pain. 

O  happy  lot,  and  hallowed,  even  as  the  joy  of  angels, 
Where  the  golden  chain  of  godliness  is  entv.'ined  with  the  roses  of  love : 
But  beware,  thou  seem  not  to  be  holy,  to  win  favour  in  the  eyes  of  a  crea- 
ture, 


OF  MARRIAGE.  105 

For  thegriilt  of  the  hypocrite  is  deadly,  and  winneth  tliee  wrath  elsewhere. 

The  idol  of  thy  heart  is,  as  thou,  a  probationar}-  sojourner  on  eartii ; 

Therefore  be  cliar}'  of  her  soul,  for  that  is  a  jewel  in  hor  casket. 

Let  her  be  a  child  of  God,  that  she  bring  with  her  a  blessing  to  thy  hous?, — 

A  blessing  above  riches,  and  leading  contentment  in  its  train : 

Let  her  be  an  heir  of  heaven ;  so  shall  she  help  thee  on  thy  way ; 

For  those  who  are  one  in  faith,  fight  double-handed  against  evil. 

Take  heed  lest  she  love  thee  before  God ;  that  she  be  not  an  idolater : 

Yet  see  thou  that  she  love  thee  well:  for  her  heart  is  the  heart  of  woman  t 

And  the  triple  nature  of  humanity  must  be  bound  by  a  triple  chain, 

For  soul  and  mind  and  b<xly — godliness,  esteem,  and  affection. 

How  beautiful  is  modesty  I  it  winneth  ujion  all  beholders  : 

But  a  \\'ord  or  a  glance  may  destroy  the  pure  love  that  should  have  been 

for  thee. 
Affect  not  to  despise  beauty  :  no  one  is  freed  from  its  dominion  : 
But  reg-ard  it  not  a  pearl  of  price  : — it  is  fleeting  as  the  bow  in  the  clouds. 
If  the  character  within  be  gentle,  it  often  hath  it^  index  in  the  countenance  : 
The  soft  smile  of  a  loving  face  is  better  tlian  splendour  that  fadeth  quickly. 
When  tb.ou  choosest  a  wife,  think  not  only  of  thyself. 
But  of  those  God  may   give  thee  of  her.  that  they  reproach  thee  not  for 

their  being ; 
See  that  he  hath  given  her  health,  lest  thou  lose  her  early  and  weep  ; 
See  that  she  springeth  of  a  wholesome  stock,  that  thy  little  ones  perish 

not  before  thee : 
For  many  a  fair  skin  hath  covered  a  mining  disease. 
And  many  a  laughing  cheek  been  bright  with  the  glare  of  madness. 

]Mark  the  converse  of  one  thou  lovest,  that  it  be  simple  and  sincere ; 

For  an  artful  or  false  woman  shall  set  thy  pillow  with  thorns. 

Obiierve  her  deportment  with  others,  when  she  thinketh  not  that  thou  art 

nigh, 
For  with  thee  will  the  blushes  of  love  conceal  the  true  colour  of  her  mind. 
Hath  she  learning  ?  it  is  good,  so  that  modesty  go  with  it : 
Hath  she  wisdom  ?  it  is  precious,  but  beware  that  thou  exceed ; 
For  woman  must  be  subject,  and  the  true  mastery  is  of  the  mind. 
Be  joined  to  thine  equal  in  rank,  or  the  foot  of  pride  v/ill  kick  at  thee : 
And  look  not  only  for  riches,  lest  thou  be  mated  with  misery  : 
Marry  not  without  means ;  for  so  shouldst  thou  tempt  Providence  ; 


106  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

But  wait  not  for  more  than  enough;  for  marriage,  is  tlie  duty  of  most  men; 
Grievous  indeed  must  be  tiio  burden  that  shall  outweigh  imiocence  and 

liealth, 
And  a  well-assorted  marriage  hath  not  n^any  cares. 
In  the  day  of  thy  joy  consider  the  poor;  thou  shalt  reap  a  ricli  harvest  of 

blessing ; 
For  these  be  the  pensioners  of  One  who  riUeth  thy  cup  with  pleasures  ; 
In  the  day  of  thy  joy  be  thankful ;  He  hath  well  deserved  thy  praise  ; 
Mean  and  selfish  is  the  heart  that  seeketli  him  only  in  sorrow. 
For  her  sake,  who  leaneth  on  thine  arm,  court  not  the  notice  of  the  world, 
And  remember  that  sober  privacy  is  comelier  than  public  display. 
If  thou  marriest,  thou  art  allied  unto  strangers  :  see  tliey  be  not  such  as 

shame  thee : 
If  thou  marriest,  thou  leavest  thine  owm ;  see  that  it  be  not  done  in  anger. 

Bride  and  bridegroom,  pilgrims  of  life,  henceforward  to  travel  together, 
In  this  the  beginning  of  your  joumey,  neglect  not  the  favour  of  Heaven  : 
And  at  eventide  kneel  ye  together,  that  your  joy  be  not  unhallowed  : 
Angels  that  are  round  you  shall  be  glad,  those  loving  ministers  of  mercy, 
And  the  richest  blessings  of  your  God  shall  be  poured  on  his  favoured 

children. 
MaiTiage  is  a  figure  and  an  earnest  of  holier  things  unseen, 
And  reverence  well  becometh  the  symbol  of  dignity  and  glory. 
Keep  thy  heart  pure,  lest  thou  do  dishonour  to  thy  state  ; 
Selfishness  is  base  and  hateful  ;  but  love  considereth  not  itself. 
The  wicked  turneth  good  into  evil,  for  his  mind  is  warped  within  him  : 
But  the  heart  of  the  righteous  is  chaste ;  his  conscience  casteth  off  sin. 
If  tiiou  wilt  be  loved,  render  implicit  confidence  ; 
If  thou  wouldst  not  suspect,  receive  full  confidence  in  turn  : 
For  where  trust  is  not  reciprocal,  tlie  love  that  trusted  withereth. 
Hide  not  your  grief  nor  your  gladness  ;  be  open  one  with  the  other ; 
Let  bitterness  be  strange  unto  your  tongues,  but  sympathy  a  dweller  in 

your  hearts : 
Imparting  halveth  the  evils,  while  it  doubleth  the  pleasures  of  life, 
But  sorrows  breed  and  thicken  in  the  gloomy  bosom  of  Reserve. 

Young  wife,  be  not  forward,  nor  forget  that  modesty  becometh  thee : 
If  it  be  discarded  now,  wiio  will  not  hold  it  feigned  before  ? 
But  be  not  as  a  timid  girl, — there  is  honour  due  to  thine  estate ; 


OF  EDUCATION.  107 

A  matron's  modesty  is  dignified  :  she  blusheth  not,  neither  is  she  bold. 
Be  kind  to  the  friends  of  thine  husband,  for  the  love  they  have  to  him : 
And  gently  bear  with  his  infirmities  ;  hast  thou  no  need  of  liis  forbearance  ? 
Be  iK)t  always  in  each  other's  company  ;  it  is  often  good  to  be  alone  ; 
And  if  there  be  too  much  sameness,  ye  cannot  but  grow  weary  of  each 

other : 
Ye  have  each  a  soul  to  be  nourished,  and  a  mind  to  be  taught  in  wisdom, 
Therefore,  as  accountable  for  time,  help  one  anotlier  to  improve  it.  • 
If  ye  feel  love  to  decline,  track  out  quickly  the  secret  cause ; 
Let  it  not  rankle  for  a  day,  but  confess  and  bewail  it  together : 
Speedily  seek  to  be  reconciled,  for  love  is  the  life  of  marriage ; 
And  be  ye  co-partners  in  triumph,  conquering  the  peevishness  of  self. 

Let  no  one  have  thy  confidence,  O  wife,  saving  thine  husband  : 

Have  not  a  friend  more  intimate,  ()  husband,  than  thy  wife. 

In  the  joy  of  a  well-ordered  home,  be  warned  that  this  is  not  your  rest ; 

For  the  substance  to  come  may  be  forgotten  in  tlie  present  beauty  of  the 

shadow. 
If  ye  are  blessed  with  children,  ye  have  a  fearful  pleasure, 
A  deeper  care  and  a  higher  joy,  and  the  range  of  your  existence  is 

widened. 
If  God  in  wisdom  refuse  them,  thank  him  for  an  unknown  mercy : 
For  how  can  ye  tell  if  they  might  be  a  blessing  or  a  curse  ? 
Yet  ye  may  pray,  like  Hannah,  simply  dependent  on  his  will : 
Resignation  sweeteneth  the  cup,  but  impatience  dasheth  it  with  vinegar. 
Now  this  is  the  sum  of  the  matter : — if  ye  will  be  happy  in  marriage, 
Confide,  love,  and  be  patient ;  be  faithful,  firm,  and  holy. 


OF    EDUCATION. 

A  BABE  in  a  house  is  a  well-spring  of  pleasure,  a  messenger  of  peace  and 

love : 
A  resting-place  for  innocence  on  earth ;  a  link  between  angels  and  men : 
Yet  is  it  a  talent  of  trust,  a  loan  to  be  rendered  back  with  interest ; 
A  delight,  but  redolent  of  care ;  honey-sweet,  but  lacking  not  the  bitter. 
For  character  groweth  day  by  day,  and  all  things  aid  it  in  unfolding, 


108  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

And  the  bent  unto  good  or  evil  may  be  given  in  the  hours  of  infancy : 
Scratch  the  green  rind  of  a  sapling,  or  wantonly  twist  it  in  the  soil, 
The  scarred  and  crooked  oak  will  tell  ol'  thee  for  centuries  to  come ; 
Even  so  mayst  thou  guide  the  mind  to  good,  or  lead  it  to  the  marrings 

of  evil, 
For  disposition  is  buildcd  up  by  the  fashioning  of  first  impressions : 
Wherefore,  though  the  voice  of  Instruction  waiteth  for  the  ear  of  reason, 
Yet  with  his  mother's  milk  the  young  child  drinketh  Education. 
Patiencce  is  the  first  great  lesson ;  he  may  learn  it  at  the  breast ; 
And  the  habit  of  obedience  and  trust  may  be  grafted  on  his  mind  in  the 

cradle : 
Hold  the  little  liands  in  prayer,  teach  the  weak  knees  their  kneeling ; 
Let  him  see  thee  speaking  to  thy  God  ;  he  will  not  forget  it  afterward : 
When  old  and  gray  will  he  feelingly  remember  a  mother's  tender  piety, 
And  the  touching  recollection  of  her  prayers  shall  arrest  the  strong  man 

in  his  sin. 

Select  not  to  nurse  thy  darling  one  that  may  t;iint  his  irmocenee. 
For  example  is  a  constant  monitor,  and  good  seed  will  die  among  the  tares. 
The  arts  of  a  strange  servant  have  spoiled  a  gentle  disposition : 
Mother,  let  him  learn  of  thy  lips,  and  be  nourished  at  thy  breast. 
Character  is  mainly  moulded  by  the  cast  of  the  minds  that  surround  it : 
Let  then  the  playmates  of  thy  little  one  be  not  other  tha^n  thy  judgment 

shall  approve ; 
For  a  child  is  in  a  new  world,  and  learneth  somewhat  every  moment. 
His  eye  is  quick  to  observe,  his  memory  storeth  in  secret, 
His  ear  is  greedy  of  knowledge,  and  his  mind  is  plastic  as  soft  wax. 
Beware  then  that  he  heareth  what  is  good,  that  he  feedeth  not  on  enl 

maxims, 
For  the  seeds  of  first  instructions  are  dropped  into  the  deepest  furrows. 
That  which  immemorial  use  hath  sanctioned,  seemeth  to  be  right  and  tnie  ; 
Therefore,  let  him  never  have  to  recollect  the  time  when  good  things  were 

strangers  to  his  thought. 
Strive  not  to  centre  in  thyself,  fond  mother,  all  his  love  ; 
Nay,  do  not  thou  so  selfishly,  but  enlarge  his  heart  for  others  ; 
Use  him  to  sympathy  betimes,  that  he  learn  to  be  sad  with  the  afflicted : 
And  check  not  a  child  in  his  merriment, — should  not  his  morning  be  sunny? 
Give  him  not  all  his  desire,  so  shalt  thou  strengthen  him  in  hope ; 
Neither  stop  with  indulgence  the  fountain  of  his  tears,  so  shall  he  fear  thy 

firmness. 


OF  EDUCATION.  109 

Above  all  things  graft  on  him  subjection,  yea,  in  the  veriest  trifle  ; 
Courtesy  to  all,  reverence  to  some,  and  to  thee  nnanswering  obedience. 

Read  thou  first,  and  well  approve,  the  books  thou  givest  to  thy  cliild ; 
But  remember  tlie  weakness  of  his  thought,  and  that  wisdom  for  him  must 

be  diluted  : 
In  the  honied  waters  of  infant  tales,  let  him  taste  the  strong  wine  of  truth : 
Pathetic  stories  soften  the  heart;  but  legends  of  terror  breed  midnight 

misery ; 
Fairy  fictions  cram  the  mind  with  folly,  and  knowledge  of  ev\\  tempteth  to 

like  evil : 
Be  not  loth  to  curb  imagination,  nor  be  fearful  that  trutlis  will  depress  it ; 
^\nd  for  evil,  he  will  learn  it  soon  enough  ;  be  not  thou  the  devil's  envoy. 
Induce  not  precocity  of  intellect,  for  so  shouldst  thou  nourish  vanity  ; 
Neither  can  a  plant,  forced  in  the  hot-bed,  stand  against  the  frozen  breath 

of  winter. 
The  mind  is  made  wealthy  by  ideas,  but  the  multitude  of  words  is  a 

clogging  weight : 
Therefore  be  understood  in  thy  teaching,  and  instruct  to  the  measure  of 

capacity. 
Analogy  is  milk  for  babes,  but  abstract  truths  are  strong  meat ; 
Precepts  and  rules  are  repulsive  to  a  child,  but  happy  illustration  winneth 

him : 
In  vain  shalt  thou  preach  of  industry  and  prudence,  till  he  learn  of  I  he  bee 

and  the  ant ; 
Dimly  will  he  think  of  his  soul,  till  the  acorn  and  chrj-salis  have  taught 

him ; 
lie  will  fear  God  in  thunder,  and  worship  his  loveliness  in  flowers  ; 
And  parables  shall  charm  his  heart,  while  doctrines  seem  dead  mysterj' ; 
Faith  shall  he  learn  of  the  husbandman  casting  good  com  into  the  soil ; 
And  if  thou  train  him  to  trust  thee,  he  will  not  withhold  his  reliance  from 

the  Lord. 
Fcarcst  thou  the  dark,  poor  child  ?     I  would  not  have  thee  left  to  thy 

terrors  ; 
Darkness  is  the  semblance  of  evil,  and  nature  regardeth  it  with  dread  : 
Yet  know  thy  father's  God  is  with  tlioe  still,  to  guard  thee : 
It  is  a  simple  lesson  of  dependence,  let  thy  tost  mind  anchor  upon  Him.        ( 
Did  a  sudden  noise  aff'right  thee  ?  lo,  this  or  that  hath  caused  it : 
Things  undefined  are  full  of  dread,  and  stagger  stouter  nerves. 


110  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

The  seeds  of  misery  and  madness  have  been  sowed  in  the  nights  of  in- 
fancy : 

Therefore  be  careful  that  gliastly  fears  be  not  the  night  companions  of  thy 
child. 

Lo,  tliou  art  a  land-rnark  on  a  hill ;  thy  little  ones  copy  thee  in  all  things. 

Let,  then,  thy  religion  be  perfect :  so  shall  thou  be  honoured  in  thy  house. 

Be  instructed  in  all  wisdom,  and  communicate  that  thou  knowest, 

Otherwise  thy  learning  is  hidden,  and  thus  tliou  seemest  unwise. 

A  sluggard  hatli  no  respect ;  an  epicure  commandeth  not  reverence ; 

i\Ieanness  is  always  despicable,  and  folly  provoketh  contempt. 

Those  parents  are  best  honoured  whose  characters  best  deserve  it ; 

Show  me  a  shild  undutiful,  I  shall  know  where  to  look  for  a  fooUsh  father. 

Never  hath  a  father  done  his  duty,  and  lived  to  be  despised  of  his  son. 

But  how  can  that  son  reverence  an  examjile  he  dare  not  follow  ? 

Should  he  imitate  thee  in  thine  evil  ?  his  scorn  is  thy  rebuke. 

Nay,  but  bring  him  up  aright,  in  obedience  to  God  and  to  thee  ; 

Begin  betimes,  lest  thou  fail  of  his  fear ;  and  with  judgment,  that  thou 
lose  not  his  love  : 

Herein  use  good  discretion,  and  govern  not  all  alike, 

Yet,  perhaps,  the  fault  will  be  in  thee,  if  kindness  prove  not  all-sufficient : 

By  kindness,  the  wolf  and  the  zebra  become  docile  as  the  spaniel  and  the 
horse : 

The  kite  feedeth  with  the  starling,  under  the  law  of  kindness  : 

That  law  shall  ttime  the  fiercest,  bring  down  the  battlements  of  pride, 

Cherish  the  weak,  control  the  strong,  and  win  tlie  fearful  spirit. 

Be  obeyed  when  thou  commandest ;  but  command  not  often  : 

Let  thy  carriage  be  the  gentleness  of  love,  not  the  stern  front  of  tyranny. 

Make  not  one  child  a  warning  to  another ;  but  chide  the  otfender  apart : 

For  self-conceit  and  wounded  pride  rankle  like  poisons  in  the  soul. 

A  mild  rebuke  in  the  season  of  calmness,  is  better  than  a  rod  in  the  heat 
of  passion. 

Nevertheless  spare  not,  if  thy  word  hath  passed  for  punishment ; 

Let  not  thy  child  see  thee  humbled,  nor  lesern  to  think  thee  false  ; 

Suffer  none  to  reprove  thee  before  him,  and  rfeprove  not  thine  own  pur- 
poses by  change  ; 

Yet  speedily  turn  thou  again,  and  reward  him  where  thou  canst, 

For  kind  encouragement  in  good  cutteth  at  the  roots  of  evil. 


'or  EDUCATION.  Ill 

Dri\'e  not  a  timid  infant  from  his  home,  in  the  early  spring-time  of  his  life. 
Commit  not  that  treasure  to  an  IiireUng,  nor  vvTench  tlie  young  heart's 

fibres  : 
In  liis  helplessness  leave  him  not  alone,  a  stranger  among  strange  children, 
Where  affection  longeth  for  thy  love,  counting  the  dreary  hours ; 
Where  religion  is  made  a  terror,  and  innocence  weepeth  unheard  ; 
Where  oppression  grindeth  without  remedy,  and  cruelty  delighteth  in 

smiting. 
Wherefore  comply  '.vath  an  evil  fashion  ?     Is  it  not  to  spare  thee  trouble  ? 
Can  he  gather  no  knowledge  at  thy  moutli  ?   Wilt  tliou  yield  thine  honour 

to  another  ? 
Wliat  can  he  gain  in  learning,  to  equal  what  he  losetli  in  innocence  ? 
Alas  I  for  the  price  above  gold,  by  which  such  learning  cometh  ! 
For  emulative  pride  and  envy  are  the  specious  idols  of  the  diligent, 
Oaths  and  foul-mouthed  sin  bum  in  the  language  of  the  idle : 
Bolder  in  that  mimic  world  of  boys  stareth  brazen-fronted  vice. 
Than  thereafter  in  the  haunts  of  men,  where  society  doth  shame  her  into 

comers. 
My  soul,  look  well  around  thee,  ere  thou  give  thy  timid  infant  unto  sorrows. 
There  be  many  that  say,  We  were  happiest  in  days  long  past, 
When  our  deepest  care  was  an  ill-conned  book. 
And  when  we  sported  in  that  merry  sunshine  of  our  life. 
Sadness  a  stranger  to  the  heart,  and  cheerfulness  its  gay  inhabitant. 
True,  ye  are  now  less  pure,  and  therefore  are  more  wretched : 
But  have  ye  quite  forgotten  how  sorely  ye  travailed  at  your  tasks, 
How  childish  griefs  and  disappointments  bowed  down  the  childish  mind  ? 
How  sorrow  sat  upon  your  pillow,  and  terror  hatli  waked  thee  up  betimes. 
Dreading  the  strict  hand  of  justice,  that  will  not  wait  for  a  reason. 
Or  tlie  whims  of  petty  tyrants,  children  like  yourselves, 
Or  the  pestilent  extract  of  evil  poured  into  the  ear  of  innocence  ? 
Behold  the  coral  island,  fresh  from  the  floor  of  the  Atlantic, 
It  is  dinted  by  every  ripple,  and  a  soft  wave  can  smooth  its  surface  ; 
But  soon  its  substance  hardeneth  in  tlie  winds  and  tropic  sun. 
And  weakly  the  foaming  billows  break  against  its  adamantine  wall ; 
Even  thus,  tliough  sin  and  care  dash  upon  the  firmness  of  manhood. 
The  timid  child  is  wasted  most  by  his  petty  troubles  ; 
And  seldom,  when  life  is  mature,  and  the  strength  proportioned  to  the 

burden. 
Will  the  feeling  mind,  that  can  remember,  acknowledge  to  deeper  anguish, 


ll»y  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSdl'HY. 

Than  when,  as  a  stranger  and  a  little  one,  the  heart  first  ached  with 

anxiety, 
And  the  sprouting  buds  of  sensibility  were  Imiised  by  the  harshness  of  a 

school. 
My  son],  look  well  around  thee,  ere  thou  give  thine  infant  unto  sorrows. 
Yet  there  be  boisteious  tempers,  stout  nerves,  and  stubborn  hearts. 
And  there  is  a  riper  season,  when  the  mind  is  well  disciplined  in  good, 
And  a  time,  when  youth  may  be  bettered  by  the  wholesome  occasions  of 

knowledge. 
Which  rarely  will  it  meet  with  so  well  as  among  tlie  congregation  of  his 

fellows. 
Only  for  infancy,  fond  mother,  rend  not  those  first  affections ; 
Only  for  the  sensitive  and  timorous,  consign  not  thy  darling  inito  misery. 

A  man  looketli  on  his  little  one,  as  a  being  of  better  hope ; 

In  himself  ambition  is  dead,  but  it  hath  a  resurrection  in  his  son ; 

That  vein  is  yet  untried, — and  who  can  tell  if  it  be  not  golden  ? 

While  his,  well-nigh  worked  out,  never  yielded  aught  but  lead  : 

And  tlius  is  he  hurt  more  sorely,  if  his  wishes  are  defeated  tliere ; 

He  has  staked  his  all  upon  a  throw,  and  lo !  the  dice  have  foiled  him. 

All  ways,  and  at  all  times,  men  follow  on  in  flocks, 

And  the  rife  epidemic  of  the  day  shall  tincture  the  stream  of  education ; 

Fashion  is  a  fooUsh  watcher  posted  at  the  tree  of  knowledge. 

Who  plucketh  its  unripe  fruit  to  pelt  away  the  birds  : 

But  for  its  golden  apples, — tliey  dry  upon  the  boughs, 

And  few  have  the  courage  or  the  wisdom  to  eat  in  spite  of  fashion  : 

One  while,  the  fever  is  to  learn,  what  none  will  be  wiser  for  knowing, 

Exploded  errors  in  extinct  tongues,  and  occasions  for  their  use  are  small ; 

And  the  bright  morning  of  life,  lor  years  of  misspent  time, 

Wasted  in  following  sounds,  hath  tracked  up  little  sense. 

Till  at  noon  a  man  is  thrown  iijjon  the  world,  with  a  mind  expert  in  trifles, 

Ha\dng  yet  every  thing  to  learn,  that  can  make  him  good  or  useful : 

The  curious  spirit  of  youth  is  crannned  with  unwholesome  garbage. 

While  starving  for  the  mother's  milk  the  breasts  of  nature  yield ; 

And  high-coloured  fables  of  depravity  lure  with  their  classic  varnish, 

While  truth  is  holding  out  in  vain  her  mirror  much  despised. 

Of  olden  time,  the  fashion  was  for  arms,  to  make  an  accomplished  slayer, 
And  set  gregarious  man  a-tilting  with  his  fellows  ; 


OF  EDUCATION.  . .  113 

Thereafter,  occult  sciences,  and  mystic  arts,  and  symbols, 

How  to  exorcise  a  wizard,  and  how  to  lay  a  ghost ; 

Anon,  all  lor  gallantry  and  presence,  the  minuet,  the  palfrey,  and  the  foil, 

And  the  grand  aim  of  education  was  to  produce  a  coxcomb ; 

Soon  came  scholastical  dispute  with  hydra-headed  argument, 

And  the  true  philosophy  of  mind  confounded  in  a  labyrinth  of  words : 

Then,  the  Pantheon,  and  its  orgies,  initiating  docile  childhood. 

While  diligent  youtli  strove  hard  to  render  his  all  nnto  Caesar  ; 

And  now  is  seen  the  passion  for  utihty,  wlien  all  tilings  are  accounted  by 

their  price. 
And  the  wisdom  of  the  wise  is  busied  in  hatching  golden  eggs. 
Percliance,  not  many  moons  to  come,  and  all  will  again  be  for  abstrusity, 
Unravelling  the  figured  veil  that  hideth  Egj'pt's  gods ; 
Or  in  those  strange  Avatars  seeking  benignant  Vishnu, 
Kali  and  Kamala  the  fair,  and  much-invoked  Ganesa.  ('^) 

The  mines  of  knowledge  are  oft  laid  bare  through  the  forked  hazel  wand 

of  cLnnce, 
And  in  a  mountain  of  quartz  we  find  a  grain  of  gold. 
Of  a  truth  it  were  well  to  know  all  things,  and  to  learn  them  all  at  once, 
And  what,  though  mortal  insufficiency  attain  to  small  knowledge  of  any  ? 
Man  loveth  exclusions,  deUghting  in  the  sterile  trodden  path, 
WTiile  the  broad  green  meadow  is  jewelled  with  wild  flowers : 
And  whether,  is  it  better  with  the  many  to  folbw  a  beaten  track. 
Or  by  eccentric  wanderings  to  cull  unheeded  sweets  ? 

When  his  reason  yieldeth  fruit,  make  thy  child  tliy  friend  ; 

For  a  filial  friend  is  a  double  gain,  a  diamond  set  in  gold. 

As  an  infant,  thy  mandate  was  enough,  but  now  let  him  see  thy  reasons ; 

Coidide  in  him,  but  with  discretion  ;  and  bend  a  willing  ear  to  his  questions. 

More  to  thee  tlian  to  all  beside,  let -him  owe  good  counsel  and  good 

guidance : 
Let  him  feel  his  pursuits  have  an  interest,  more  to  thee  than  to  all  beside. 
Watch  his  native  capacities  ;  nourish  that  which  suiteth  him  the  readiest; 
And  cultivate  early  those  good  inclinations  wherein  thou  fearest  he  is  most 

lacking : 
Is  he  phlegmatic  and  desponding  ?  let  small  successes  comfort  liis  hope ; 
Is  he  obstinate  and  sanguine  ?  let  petty  crosses  accustom  him  to  life. 
Showeth  he  a  sordid  spirit  ?  be  quick,  and  teach  him  generosity ; 


H4  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Iiiclineth  he  to  liberal  excess  ?  prove  to  him  how  hard  it  is  to  earn. 
Gather  to  thy  hearth  such  /ricnds  as  are  worthy  of  honour  and  attention, 
For  the  company  a  man  choosetli  is  a  visible  index  of  his  heart : 
But  let  not  the  pastor  whom  tliou  liearest  be  too  much  a  familiar  in  thy 

house, 
For  thy  children  may  see  liis  intinnities,  and  learn  to  cavil  at  his  teaching. 
It  is  well  to  take  hold  on  occasions,  and  render  indirect  instruction  ; 
It  is  better  to  teach  upon  a  system,  and  reap  the  wisdom  of  books  : 
TJie  history  of  nations  yieldeth  grand  outlhies  :  of  persons,  minute  details  : 
Poetry  is  polish  to  the  mind,  and  high  abstractions  cleanse  it. 
Consider  the  station  of  thy  son,  and  breed  him  to  his  fortune  with  judg- 
ment : 
The  rich  may  protit  in  much  which  would  bring  small  advantage  to  the 

poor. 
But  with  all  thy  care  for  thy  son,  with  all  thy  strivings  for  his  welfare, 
Expect  disappointment,  and  look  for  pain :  for  he  is  of  an  evil  stock,  and 
will  grieve  thee. 


OF    TOLERANCE. 

A  WISE  man  in  a  crowded  street  winneth  his  way  with  gentleness, 

Nor  rudely  pusheth  aside  the  stranger  that  standeth  in  his  path ; 

He  knowetli  that  blind  hurry   will   but   hinder,   stirring   up  contention 

agninst  him. 
Yet  holdeth  he  steadily  right  on,  with  his  face  to  the  scope  of  his  pursuit : 
Even  so,  in  the  congress  of  opinions,  the  bustling  highway  of  intelligence. 
Each  man  should  ask  of  his  neighbour,  and  yield  to  him  again  concession. 
Tenns  ill  defined,  and  forms  misunderstood,  and  customs,  where  their 

reasons  are  unknown. 
Have  stirred  up  many  zealous  souls  to  fight  against  imaginary  giants  : 
But  wisdom  will  hear  the  matter  out,  and  often,  by  keenness  of  perception, 
Will  find  in  strange  disguise  the  precious  truth  he  seeketli : 
So  he  leavetli  unto  prejudice  or  taste  the  garb  and  the  manner  of  her 

presence. 
Content  to  see  so  nigh  tlie  mistres-s  of  his  love. 
There  is  no  similitude  in  nature  that  owneth  not  also  to  a  difference, 


OF  TOLERANCE.  115 

Yea,  no  two  berries  are  alike,  tliough  twins  upon  one  stem  ; 

No  drop  in  the  ocean,  no  pebble  on  the  beach,  no  leaf  in  the  forest,  hath 

its  counterpart. 
No  mind  in  its  dwelling  of  mortality,  no  spirit  in  tlie  world  unseen  :     • 
And  therefore,  since  capacity  and  essence  diifer  alike  with  accident. 
None  but  a  bigot  partisan  will  hope  for  impossible  unity. 
Wilt  thou  ensue  peace,  nor  buffet  with  the  waters  of  contention, 
Wilt  thou  be  counted  wise  and  gain  the  love  of  men. 
Let  unobtruded  error  escape  the  frown  of  censure. 
Nor  lift  the  glass  of  truth  alway  before  thy  fellows  : 
I  say  not,  compromise  the  right,  I  would  not  have  thee  countenance  the 

WTong, 
But  hear  with  charitable  heart  the  reasons  of  an  honest  judgment ; 
For  thou  also  ha.st  erred,  and  knoAvest  not  when  thou  art  most  right ; 
Nor  whether  to-morrow's  wisdom  may  not  prove  thee  simple  to-day  : 
Perchance  tliou  art  chiding  in  another  what  once  thou  wast  thyself; 
Perchance  thou  sharply  reprovest  what  thou  wilt  be  hereafter. 
A  man  that  can  render  a  reason.  Is  a  man  worthy  of  an  answer ; 
But  he  that  argueth  for  victory,  deserveth  not  the  tenderness  of  Truth. 

Whiles  a  man  livetli  he  may  mend  :  count  not  thy  brother  reprobate  ; 

Wiien  lie  is  dead  his  chance  is  gone  :  remember  not  his  feults  in  bitterness. 

A  man,  till  he  dieth,  is  immortal  in  thy  sight ;  and  then  he  is  as  nothing ; 

Make  not  the  living  thy  foe,  nor  take  weak  vengeance  of  the  dead  ; 

For  life  is  as  a  game  of  chess,  where  least  causeth  greatest, 

And  an  ill  move  bringeth  loss,  and  a  pawn  may  insure  victory. 

Dost  thou  suspect  ?  seek  out  certainty  :  for  now,  by  self-inthcted  pain, 

Or  ill-directed  wrath,  thou  Avrongest  thyself  or  thy  neighbour  : 

Suspicion  is  an  early  leason,  taught  in  the  school  of  experience. 

Neither  shalt  thou  easily  inilearn  it,  though  charity  ply  thee  with  her 

preaching ; 
Yet  look  thou  well  for  reasons,  or  ever  mistrust  hath  marred  thee. 
Or  fear  curdled  thy  blood,  or  jealousy  goaded  thee  to  madness  : 
For  a  look,  or  a  word,  or  an  act,  may  be  taken  well  or  ill, 
As  construed  by  the  latitude  of  love,  or  the  closeness  of  cold  suspicion. 

Better  is  the  wrong  with  sincerity,  rather  than  the  right  with  falsehood : 
And  a  prudent  man  will  not  lay  siege  to  the  stronghold  of  ignorant  bigotiy. 
To  unsettle  a  weak  mind  were  an  easy  inglorious  triiunph, 


116  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

And  a  strong  cause  taketh  little  count  of  the  worthless  suffrage  of  a  fool : 

Lightly  he  held  to  the  wrong,  loosely  will  lie  cling  to  the  right ; 

Weakness  is  the  essence  of  his  mind,  and  the  reed  cannot  yield  an  acorn. 

Dogged  obstinacy  is  oftentimes  the  buttress  that  proppeth  an  unstable  spirit. 

But  a  candid  man  blusheth  not  to  own  he  is  wiser  to-day  than  yesterday. 

A  rnan  of  little  wisdom  is  a  sage  among  fools ; 

But  himself  is  chief  among  the  fools,  if  he  look  for  admiration  from  them. 

A  heresy  is  an  evil  tiling,  for  its  shame  is  its  pride  : 

Its  necessary  difference  of  error  is  the  character  it  most  esteemeth  : 

Give  a  man  all  things  short  of  liberty,  thou  shalt  have  no  thanks, 

And  little  wilt  thou  speed  with  thine  opponent,  by  proving  points  he  will 

concede. 
The  tost  sand  darkeneth  the  waves  ;  and  clear  had  been  the  pages  of  truth, 
Had  not  the  glosses  of  men  obscured  the  simplicity  of  faith. 
In  all  things  consider  thine  own  ignorance,  and  gladly  take  occasion  to  be 

taught ; 
But  suffer  not  excess  of  liberality  to  neutralize  thy  mental  independence. 
The  faults  and  follies  of  most  men  make  their  deaths  a  gain ; 
But  thou  also  art  a  man,  full  of  faults  and  follies  ; 
Therefore  sorrow  for  the  dead,  or  none  shall  weep  for  thee, 
For  the  measure  of  charity  thou  dealest,  shall  be  poured  into  thine  own 

bosom. 
That  which  vexetli  thee  now,  provoking  thee  to  hate  thy  brother, 
Bear  with  it ;  the  annoyance  passeth,  and  may  not  return  for  ever : 
The  same  combinations  and  results  which  aggravate  thy  soul  to-day, 
May  not  meet  again  for  centuries  in  the  kaleidoscope  of  circumstance ; 
For  men  and  matters  change,  new  elements  mixing  in  continually, 
And,  as  with  chemical  magic,  the  sour  is  transmuted  into  sweetness, 
A  little  explained,  a  little  endured,  a  little  passed  over  as  a  foible, 
And,  lo,  the  jagged  atoms  fit  like  smooth  mosaic. 
Tliou  canst  not  shape  another's  mind  to  suit  thine  own  body, 
Tliink  not,  then,  to  be  famishing  his  brain  with  thy  special  notions. 
Charity  walketh  with  a  high  step,  and  stumbleth  not  at  a  trifle  : 
Charity  hath  keen  eyes,  but  the  lashes  half  conceal  them  : 
Charity  is  praised  of  all,  and  fear  not  thou  that  praise, 
God  will  not  love  thee  less  because  men  love  thee  more.(") 


OF  SORROW.  117 


OF    SORROW. 

I  SAID,  I  will  seek  out  sorrow,  and  minister  the  balm  of  pity  : 

So  I  sought  her  in  the  house  of  mourning  :  but  peace  followed  in  her  train. 

Then  I  marked  her  brooding  silently  in  the  gloomy  cavern  of  Regret ; 

But  a^unbeam  of  heavenly  hope  gleamed  on  her  folded  wing. 

So  I  turned  to  the  cabin  of  the  poor,  where  famine  dwelt  with  disease  ; 

But  tlie  bed  of  the  sick  was  smoothed,  and  the  ploughman  whistled  at  his 

labour. 
So  I  stopped,  and  mused  within  myself,  to  remember  where  sorrow  dwelt, 
For  I  sought  to  see  her  alone,  uncomforted,  uncompanioned. 
I  went  to  the  prison,  but  penitence  was  there,  and  promise  of  better  times  ; 
I  listened  at  the  madman's  cell,  but  it  echoed  with  deluded  laughter. 
Then  I  turned  me  to  the  rich  and  noble  ;  I  noted  the  sons  of  fashion  : 
A  smile  was  on  the  languid  cheek,  that  had  no  commerce  with  the  heart ; 
Unhallowed  thoughts,^ like  fires,  gleamed  from  the  window  of  the  eye, 
And  sorrow  lived  with  those  whose  pleasures  add  unto  their  sins. 

His  infancy  wanted  not  guilt ;  Iiis  life  was  continued  evil : 

He  drew  in  pride  with  his  mother's  milk,  and  a  father's  lips  taught  him 

cursing. 
I  marked  him  as  the  wayward  boy  ;  I  traced  the  dissolute  youth  : 
I  saw  him  betray  the  innocent,  and  sarifice  affection  to  his  lust. 
I  saw  him  the  companion  of  knaves,  and  a  squanderer  of  ill-got  gain  ; 
1  heard  him  curse  his  own  mii^erj-,  while  he  hugged  the  chains  tliat  galled 

him : 
For  well  had  experience  declared  the  bitterness  of  guilty  pleasure, 
But  habit,  with  its  iron  net,  involved  him  in  its  folds. 

Behind  him  lowered  the  thunder-storm,  which  the  caldron  of  his  wicked- 
ness had  brewed  ; 
Before  him  was  the  smooth  steep  cliff  whose  base  is  ruin  and  despair. 
So  he  madly  rushed  on,  and  tried  to  forget  his  being : 
The  noisy  revel  and  the  low  debauch,  and  fierce  e.xcitement  of  plav, 
With  dreary  interchange  of  palling  pleasures,  filled  the  dull  round  of  ex- 
istence : 
Memory  was  to  him  as  a  foe,  so  he  flew  for  false  solace  to  the  wine-cup. 
And  stunned  liis  enemy  at  even,  but  she  rent  him  as  a  giant  in  the  morn- 
ing. 


118  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

I  turned  aside  to  weep  ;  I  lost  him  a  little  while  : 
I  looked,  and  years  had  past :  he  was  hoar  with  the  winter  of  his  age. 
And  what  was  now  his  hope  ?  wliere  was  tiie  balm  for  his  sadness  ? 
The  memory  of  the  past  was  guilt :  the  feeling  of  the  present,  remorse. 
Then  he  set  his  affections  on  gold,  he  worshipped  the  shrine  of  Mammon, 
And  to  lay  richer  gifts  before  his  idol,  he  starved  his  own  bowels ; 
So,  the  youth  spent  in  profligacy  ended  in  the  gripings  of  want: 
The  miser  grudged  himself  husks,  to  take  deeper  vengeance  of  the  prod- 
igal. 
And  I  said,  this  is  sorrow ;  but  pity  cannot  reach  it. 
This  is  to  be  wretched  indeed,  to  be  guilty  without  repentance. 


0F    JOY. 

Mt  soul  was  sickened  within  me,  so  I  sought  the  dwelling-place  of  Joy : 

And  I  met  it  not  in  laughter ;  I  found  it  not  in  wealth  or  power ; 

But  I  saw  it  in  the  pleasant  home,  where  religion  smiled  upon  content, 

And  the  satisfied  ambition  of  the  heart  rejoiced  in  the  favour  of  its  God. 

Behold  the  happy  man,  his  face  is  rayed  with  pleasure, 

His  thoughts  are  of  calm  delight,  and  none  can  know  his  blessedness ; 

I  have  watched  him  from  his  infancy,  and  seen  him  in  the  grasp  of  death, 

Yet  never  have  I  noted  on  his  brow  the  cloud  of  desponding  sorrow. 

He  hath  knelt  beside  his  cradle ;  his  mother's  hymn  lulled  him  to  sleep : 

In  childhood  he  hath  loved  holiness,  and  drank  from  that  fountain-head  of 

peace. 
Wisdom  took  him  for  her  scholar,  guiding  his  steps  in  purity : 
He  lived  unpolluted  by  the  world ;  and  his  young  heart  hated  sin. 
But  he  owned  not  the  spurious  religion  engendered  of  faction  and  mo- 

roseness. 
Neither  were  the  sproutings  of  his  soul  seared  by  the  brand  of  super- 
stition. 
His  love  is  pure  and  single,  sincere,  and  know'eth  not  change : 
For  his  manhood  hath  been  blest  with  the  pleasant  choice  of  his  youth: 
Behold  his  one  beloved,  she  leaneth  on  his  arm, 


OF  JOY.  119 

And  he  looketh  ou  the  years  that  are  past,  to  review  tlie  dawn  of  her 
affection. 

Memory  is  sweet  unto  him  as  a  perfect  landscape  to  the  sight ; 

Each  object  is  lovely  in  itself,  but  the  whole  is  the  harmony  of  nature. 

Behold  his  little  ones  around  him,  they  bask  in  the  sunshine  of  his  smile ; 

And  infant  innocence  and  joy  lighten  their  happy  faces ; 

He  is  holy,  and  they  honour  him  ;  he  is  loving,  and  they  love  liim ; 

He  is  con.=istent,  and  they  esteem  him ;  he  is  firm,  and  they  fear  him. 

His  friends  are  the  excellent  among  men;  and  the  bands  of  their  friend- 
ship are  strong ; 

His  hoTise  is  the  palace  of  peace :  for  the  Prince  of  Peace  is  there. 

As  the  wearied  man  to  his  couch,  as  the  thoughtful  man  to  his  musings, 

J^ven  so,  from  the  bustle  of  life,  he  goeth  to  his  well-ordered  home. 

And  though  he  often  sin,  he  retumeth  with  weeping  eyes  : 

For  he  feeleth  the  mercies  of  forgiveness,  and  gloweth  witli  warmer 
gratitude. 

Thus  did  he  walk  in  happiness,  and  sorrow  was  a  stranger  to  his  soul ; 
The  light  of  affection  sunned  his  heart,  the  tear  of  the  grateful  bedewed 

his  feet, 
He  put  his  hand  with  constancy  to  good,  and  angels  knew  him  as  a 

brother. 
And  the  bu.sy  sateUites  of  evil  trembled  as  ct  God's  ally : 
He  used  his  wealth  as  a  \vise  steward,  making  him  friends  for  futurity ; 
He  bent  his  learning  to  religion,  and  religion  was  with  him  at  the  last : 
For  I  saw  him  after  many  days,  when  the  time  of  his  release  was  come, 
And  I  longed  for  a  congregated  world,  to  behold  that  dying  saint. 
As  the  aloe  is  green  and  well-liking,  till  tlie  last  best  summer  of  its  age. 
And  then  hangeth  out  its  golden  bells  to  mingle  glory  with  corruption ; 
As  a  meteor  travelletli  in  splendour,  hut  bursteth  in  dazzling  light ; 
Such  was  the  end  of  the  righteous  :  his  death  was  the  sun  at  his  setting. 

Look  on  this  picture  of  joy,  and  remember  tiiat  portrait  of  sorrow  : 

Behold  the  beauty  of  holiness,  behold  tlie  deformity  of  sin  ! 

How  long,  ye  sons  of  men,  will  ye  scorn  the  words  of  wisdom  ? 

How  long  will  ye  hunt  for  happiness  in  the  caverns  that  breed  despair? 

Will  ye  comfort  yourselves  in  miserj^  by  denying  tlie  existence  of  delight, 

And  from  experience  in  woe,  will  ve  reason  that  none  are  happy  ? 


120  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Joy  is  not  in  your  path,  for  it  loveth  not  that  bleak  broad  road, 
But  its  flowers  are  hung  upon  the  hedges  that  line  a  narrower  way ; 
And  there  the  faint  travellers  of  earth  may  wander  and  gather  for  them- 
selves, 
To  soothe  their  wounded  hearts  with  balm  from  tlie  amaranths  of  heaven. 


OEQ   AOBA. 


NOTES.  : 

(FIRST     SERIES.) 

(')  "'Aivi  thine  enfranchised  fellows  hail  thij  white  victorious  sails." 
Page  12. 
See  the  story  of  Theseus,  as  detailed  in  Dryden's  translation  of  Plutarch, 
Life  I. 

(*)  "  Who  hath  companioned  a  vision  froin  the  horn  or  ivory  gate  .'" 

Page  14. 
Virg.  .$:n.  VI.  894-897. 

"  Sunt  geminae  somni  portae  ;  quarum  altera  fertur 
Cornea  ;  qua  veris  facilis  datur  exitus  umbris  ; 
Altera  candenti  perfecta  nitens  elephanto  ; 
Sed  falsa  ad  coelum  mittunt  insomnia  Manes." 

(')  "The  sea-ivorl  floating  on  the  toaves,'''  tj-r.  Page  16. 
The  common  sea-weeds  on  the  shores  of  Europe,  the  algte  and  fuci,  after 
having,  for  ages,  been  considered  as  synonymous  with  every  thing  vile  and 
v\-orihles.s,  have,  in  modern  times,  been  found  to  be  abundant  in  iodine,  the  only 
known  pure  for  scrofula,  and  kelp,  so  useful  in  many  manufactures.  Horace 
has  signalized  his  ignorance  of  this  iact  in  Od.  III.  17,  10,  '•  alga  inulili,"  &,c.  ; 

and,  in  II.   Sat.  5,  8,  ironically  saying,  that,  " virtus,  nisi  cum  re,  vilior 

alga,  est."     Virgil  also  has  put  into  the  mouth  of  Thyrsis,  in  I>cl.  VII.  42, 
" Projecta  vilior  alga." 

(*)  '■•Hath  the  crocus  yielded  up  its  bull),'''  <^c.  Page  K!. 
The  autumnal  crocus,  or  colchicum,  which  consists  of  little  more  than  a 
d'^ep  bulbous  root,  and  a  delicate  lilac  flower,  produces  a  substance  which  is 
called  veratrin,  and  has  been  used  with  signal  success  in  the  cure  of  gout  and 
similar  diseases.  A  few  lines  lower  down,  with  reference  to  the  elm,  I  would 
remark,  that  no  iLse  has  yet  been  di.=>eovered  in  the  principle  called  "  ulraine." 
"  The  boon  of  far  Peru  "  is  the  potato. 

6 


122  PROVERBIAL  FHILOSOPMY. 

(')  "When  acorns  give  out  fragranl  drink"  c^-r.  Page  17. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  Medico-Botanical  Society,  (in  1837,)  the  President 
introduced  to  the  notice  of  the  members  a  new  beverage  which  veiy  much 
resembled  coffee,  and  was  made  from  acorns  peeled,  cho|)ped,  and  roasted. 
Bread  made  from  sawdust  is  certainly  not  very  palatable,  but  no  one  can  doubt 
that  it  is  far  more  sweet  and  whou.some  than  "  no  bread  ;"  in  a  famine,  this 
discovery,  which  has  passed  almost  sub  silentio,  would  prove  to  be  of  the  highest 
importance.  The  darnel,  it  miiy  be  observed,  in  passing,  is  highly  poisonous, 
and  a  proper  opposite  to  the  lotus. 

(")  '-He,  7i-ho  eeeminir  eld  in  youth,'"  cfc.  VagQ  22. 
Compare  Isa.  lii.  1-1,  "  His  visnge  was  so  marred  more  than  any  man,  and 
liis  form  more  than  the  sons  of  men,"  with  the  idea  implied  in  the  observ;!tioii, 
John  viii.  ^u,  "  Tb.in  an  not  yet  yZ/Vj/  yrars  old,  and  hast  thou  seen  Abraham  ? 
Our  Lord  was  then  thirty-tliree,  or,  according  to  some  chronologists,  even 
younger. 

C)  "A  i^cniencc  hath  fonned  a  charnrter,  and  a  character  subdued  a  iiW-g' 
dom."     Pcioe  25. 
A  better  instance  of  this  could  scarcely  be  found  than  in  the  late  Lord  Ex- 
mouth,  who  fir.«t  directed  his  thonghis  to  the  sea  from  a  casual  remark  made  by 
n  groom.     See  his  Life. 

(")  '"Tiat  sinall  cavern j'^  q-c.     Pago  26. 
The  pineal  gland,  a  small  cvyl  about  the  size  of  a  pea,  situated  nearly  in 
the  centre  of  the  brain,  and  generally  found  to  contain,  even  in  children,  some 
particles  of  gi-avel.     Galen,  and  after  hiin  Des  Cartes,  imagined  it  the  seat  of 
the  soul- 

(';  '■'■The  Greek  lialh  nirv.amed,  ORriEE."    Page  31. 
KocTjucj.     The  Latins  also,  who  rarely  can  show  a  beautiful  idea  which  they 
have  not  borrowed  from  Greece,  have  made  a  similar  application  of  t!ie  term 
"  mundns  "  to  tb.e  fabric  of  the  world. 

('")  "7'o  fnlsour  dny  the  Ri-clialnl.e  icanteth  not  a  vmn"  cfe.  Pnjre  -37. 
I  have  hoard  it  related  of  Woi.fe,  the  missionary,  that  when  in  Arabia,  he 
fell  in  with  a  small  wandering  tribe,  vvho  refused  to  drink  wine,  not  on  .Mohnni- 
medan  principles,  bat  because  it  had  in  oiden  time  been '•' forbidden  by  Jonadnbj 
the  son  of  Rechab,  their  father."  Compare  Jeremiah  xx.w.  It),  "  Jonadab,  the 
son  of  Rechab,  shall  not  want  a  man  to  stand  before  ma  for  ever."  It  will  be 
found  in  Mr.  Wolfe's  Journal. 


NOTES.  123 

C')''OfResL"  Page  37. 
A  verj'  obvious  objection  to  the  views  of  Rest  here  given  has  probably  oc- 
curred to  more  than  one  rehgious  reader  of  the  English  Bible  ;  "  there 
remaineth  a  rest  for  the  people  of  God  ;"  doubtless  intending  the  heavenly 
inheritance.  If  tlie  Greek.  Testament  is  referred  to  (Meb.  iv.  9),  the  word  trans- 
lated "  rest "  will  be  found  to  be  a.ilS^uncjioi ;  a  sabbatism.  or  perpetual  Sabbath 
a  rest  indeed  from  evil,  but  very  far  from  being  a  rest  from  good  :  an  eternal 
act  of  ecstatic  intellectual  worship,  or  temporary  acts  in  inSnite  series.  It  is 
true  that  another  word,  Kari-avan,  implying  complete  cessation,  occurs  hi  the 
context ;  but  this  is  used  of  the  earthly  image,  Joshua's  rest  in  Canaan  ;  the 
material  rest  of  earth  becomas  in  the  skies  a  spiritual  Sabbath  ;  although  I  am 
ready  to  admit  that  the  apostle  gnes  on  to  argue  from  the  word  of  the  type. 
In  passing,  let  us  obseiTC,  by  way  of  shov.-ing  the  uncertainty  of  tru.siing  to  any 
isolated  expression  of  the  present  scriptural  version,  that  there  are  no  less  than 
six  several  words  of  various  meaning  which  in  our  New  Testament  are  all 
indifierently  rendered  rest:  as  in  Matt.  xii.  53,  dvaTruvji;  ;  in  John  xi.  13, 
Kc!yri7ti  ;  in  Heb.  iii.  1] ,  xaTajrav^is ;  in  Acts  xi.  31,  doii-.-ni.  in  2  Thcss.  i.  7, 
uir.cii ;  and  m  Heb.  iv.  9,  aalliJaritrjia;.  The  Kaifiriai;  is,  I  apprehend,  what  is 
generally  meant  by  rest :  so  v.'ishes  Byron's  Giaour  to  "  sleep  without  the  dream 
of  what  he  was  ;"  so  he  who  in  life  "  loathed  the  languor  of  repcpe,"  avows 
that  he  "would  not,  if  he  might,  be  blest,  and  sought  no  Paradise  bat  Rest." 
Such,  at  least,  is  not  the  Christian's  Sabbath,  which  indeed  fully  agrees,  J»s  might 
be  expected,  with  metaphysical  inquiries  :  a  good  spirit  cannot  rest  from  activity 
in  good,  nor  an  evil  one  from  activity  in  evil.  Rest,  in  its  common  slothful 
acceptation,  is  not  possible,  or  is,  at  any  rate  very  improbable,  in  the  case  of 
spiritual  creatures. 

("^)  "Calm  nifrhi  ihai  hrecdelli  thong];! sJ'     Pago  37. 

Ki^p6i/>].     Another  delicate  example  of  the  Greek  elegance  in  mind  and 
language. 

(13)  ^'Proig.,^^"  t^,c.     PagG  43. 
Compare  Virgil,  Geor.  IV.  406,  412. 

"  Turn  varite  eludent  species  atque  ora  ferarurn. 
Fiet  enim  subito  sus  horridus,  alraque  tigris, 
Squaniosusquf:  draco,  ct  fulvi  cervice  leena  ; 
Aut  acreni  fiamnife  sonitum  dabit,  atque  ita  vinclis 
E.'ccidet ;  aut  in  aquas  tonucs  dilapstis  abibit. 
Sed,  quanto  ille  niagis  formns  se  vertet  in  omr.cs, 
Tanto,  nate,  magis  contende  tcnacia  vincla." 


124  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

('*)  "  We  wait,  like  the  sage  of  Salamis,  to  see  tchat  the  end  ivill  be." 

Page  45. 
Ill  allusion  to  the  well-known  anecdote  of  Solon  at  the  court  of  CrcDSUS. 

(")  ''Crowded  with  a  rainhuw  of  emerald,  the  green  memorial  of  earth.'' 

"Page  58. 
See  Rev.  iv.  3,  "  Tliere  was  a  rainbow  round   about  the   throne,  in  sight 
like  unto   an   emerald  :"  it  may  be  a  fanciful  but  it  is  a  pleasing  idea,  that  this 
emerald  rainbow  was,  as  ix  were,  a  reflection  of  the  earth,  which  "  God  so 
loved,',  and  whose  universal  robe  is  green. 

('«)  "Like  the  Parthian:'     Page  64. 
Compare  Horace,  Od.  I.  19,  12, "  Versis  animosura  equis  Parthum,"  and 
Virg.  Geo.  III.  21,  "  Parthas  fidensfug^,  versisque  sagittis,',  with  Psalm  Ixxviii. 
9,  "  The  children  of  Ephraim  carrying  bows,  who  turned  themselves  back  in 
the  day  of  battle." 

('^)  '■'■The  giant  king  of  palms."     Page  65. 
The  magnificent  Talipat  palm,  the  column  of  which  frequently  exceeds  one 
hundred  feet  in  height,  whose  leaves  are  each  thirty  feet  in  breadth,  and  whose 
single  crop  of  fruits  feasts  a  whole  country. 

(")  "It  i'.s-  onlii  the  band  of  the  redeemed  icho  can  tell  thee  the  fullness  of 
that  name:''  Page  68. 
Strictly  speaking,  only  a  fallen  being  is  capable  of  religion,  a  bringing  or 
binding  hack  of  the  aflections  to  their  proper  object.  An  angel  or  other  pure 
intelligence,  c^n  have  no  sympathies  with  the  fallen,  as  such,  and  therefore  can 
know  nothing  ot' re-ligion,  as  such  ;  his  worship  is  allegiance  or  liegeance. 

('»)  "0/w  Trinitij:'  Page  68. 
The  candid  reader  who  dissents  from  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  will  have 
the  goodness  to  remember,  that  the  question  itself  stands  on  far  other  and  higher 
grounds  than  those  of  mere  analogy:  this  observation  is  made  in  case  the 
slight  argument  here  urged  should  seem  weak  and  unsatisfactory  to  a  reflective 
mind :  it  is  nothing  more  than  an  addition  pro  lacro.  It  does  not  at  all  aflect 
the  argument  that  the  three  elements  of  all  things  should  be  now  unknown,  or 
unsuspected.  The  idea  throwni  out  may  one  day  be  found  to  be  correct ;  and 
in  fact  it  will  be  very  difficult  to  prove  the  contrary,  inasmuch  as  to  an  assertion 
of  its  falsity,  "  ready  ansNver  cometh," — wait  until  we  know  more. 


NOTES.  195 

('")  "J^he  noonday  light  is  a  compound,  the  triune  shadow  of  Jehovah." 
Page  70. 
The  rainbow,  which  is  light  analyzed,  Is  but  three  colours,  blue,  yellow,  and 
red,  with  their  intermediate  shades.     I  think  no  one  of  these  can  be  mixed  or 
made  of  others,  and  in  their  union  they  produce  colourless  light. 

(^')  "Upo7i  whose  lips  (he  mystic  bee,^'  cj^c.     Page  78. 
The  classical   reader  will  not  need  to  be  reminded  of  the  omen  that  hap- 
jiened  to  the  infant  Pindar. 

('•'^)  "Z/"/  another  Omar  hum  the  full  library  of  knowledge.'"     Page  79. 
The  Alexandrian  library,  compiled  by  Ptolemy  Euergetcs,  contained  700,000 
manuscripts,  all  of  which  were  burnt  by  the  fanatical  calif  Omar. 

('^)  "T/ji?  strange  skin  garments  cast  upon  the  shore  suggest  another 

hemisphere."  Page  86. 
An  anecdote  I  have  somewhere  heard  of  Columbus,  who,  having  sailed  as 
far  as  Florea,  one  of  the  Western  Islands,  was  induced  to  proceed  further  from 
hearing  that  savage  robes  and  weapons  had  been  cast  up  by  the  sea,  after  the 
prevalence  of  westerly  gales.  It  will  probably  be  met  with  in  Washington 
Irving's  Life  of  Columbus. 

('^^)  "The  lichen     .     .     .     dying,  diggeih  its  own  grave."     Page  86. 
One  of  the  great  uses  of  these  pioneers  of  vegetation  is  to  corrode  and  fret 
the  smooth  surface  of  the  rocks,  by  an  acid  which  they  generate  during  decom- 
position. 

(")  ''Ridicule—the  test  of  truth.     Page  89. 
One  of  the   weakest  points  in   the   Shaftesbury   philosophy,  which  woidd 
weigh  principles  against  puns. 

^28'j  ii\i,j  being  hut  men,  as  men,  ye  own  to  all  the  sympalhies  of  manhood." 
Page  100. 
The  noble  and  masculine  sentiment  of  Terence,  which  of  old  electrified  the 
whole  theatre 

"  Homo  sum,  humani  nihil  a  me  alienem  puto." 

(^^)  "Ganesa."  Page  113. 
The  clephant-lieaded  god  of  prudence  who  is  invoked  on  every  occasion  by 
the  Hindoos.  Kali,  called  also  Durga,  is  a  destroyijig  power.  Kamala  signi- 
fies "  lotus-like,"  a  type  of  beauty,  and  one  of  the  names  of  Lakshmi. 
Vishnu  is  the  great  Preeer\'er  in  the  Brahmin  triad :  his  incarnations  are  called 
avatars. 


126  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

('^)  "GoJ  will  not  love  tliee  less,  bzcausz  men  love  ihee  more."  Pftge  116. 
It  may  be  scarcely  necessary  to  remark,  that  the  gist  of  the  argument  in 
Matt.  V.  11,  "Blessed  are  ye,  when  men  shall  revile  you  and  persecute  you, 
and  shall  say  all  manner  of  evil  against  you,"  lies  in  the  "  falsely,  for  my  sake." 
This  verse  has  all  the  characteristica  of  an  epigram, — paradox,  brevity,  and 
final  satisfaction. 


PEO\'EEBIAL  nilLOSOPHY. 

SECOND  SERIES. 


PROYEMIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 


INTRODUCTORY. 

Come  again,  end  greet  me  as  a  friend,  fellow-pilgrim  upon  life's  highway: 
'Leave  awhile  tlic  hot  and  dusty  road,  to  loiter  in  llic  greenwood  of  Re- 
flection. 
Come,  unto  my  cool  dim  grotto,  th.at  is  watered  by  the  rivulet  of  truth, 
And  over  whos3  time-stained  rock  climb  the  fairy  flowers  of  content ; 
Here,  upon  thi.5  moss^y  bank  of  leisure  fling  thy  load  of  cares, 
Taste  my  simple  store,  and  rest  one  soothing  hour. 

Behold,  I  Vv'ould  count  thee  for  a  brother,  and  commune  with  thy  charitable 

son!  : 
Though  wrapt  within  the  m.antle  of  a  propliet,  I  stand  mine  ovai  weak 

scholar. 
Heed  no  disciple  for  a  teacher,  if  knowledge  be  not  found  upon  his  tongue; 
For  vanity  and  folly  were,  the  lessons  these  lips  untaught  could  give  : 
The  precious  staple  of  my  merchandise  cometh  from  a  better  country, 
Tlie  harvest  of  my  reaping  sprang  of  foreign  seed  : 
And  this  poor  pensioner  of  Mercy — sliould  he  boast  of  merit  ? 
The  grafted  stock, — .should  that  be  proud  of  apples  not  its  own  ? 
Into  the  bubbling  brf)ok  I  dip  my  hermit  shell ; 
Man  receiveth  as  a  cup,  but  Wisdom  is  t!ie  river. 

Moreover,  for  this  fillagTee  of  fancy,  this  Oriental  garnish  of  similitude, 
Alas,  tlie  world  is  old, — and  all  thmgs  old  witliin  il : 
I  walk  a  trodden  path,  I  love  tlie  good  old  ways : 
Prophets,  and  priests,  and  kings  have  tuned  the  harp  I  faintly  touch. 

6* 


130  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Truth  in  a  garment  of  the  p;ist,  is  my  choice  and  simple  theme ; 
No  truth  is  new  to-day  ;  and  the  numtle  was  another's. 

Still,  there  is  an  insect  swarm,  the  ])uzzing  cloiul  of  iningery. 
Mote-like  steaming  on  my  sight,  and  thronging  my  rehicUuit  mind ; 
The  memories  of  studious  culling,  and  multiplied  mialogies  of  nature, 
Fresh  feelings  unrepressedj  welling  from  the  heart  spontiineous. 
Facts,  and  comparisons,  and  meditative  atoms,  gathered  on  the  heap  of 

conihinaticiu, 
IVIingle  in  the  fashion  of  uiy  speech  with  gossamer  dreams  of  Reverie. 
I  need  not  beat  the  nuderv>'ood  for  game ;  my  pheasants  flock  up<jn  tJie 

lav,n, 
And  gambfiling  hare.'^  disport  fearless  in  my  dewy  field  ; 
I  roam  no  heath-empurpled  hills,  wearily  watching  for  a  covey. 
But  thoughts  fly  s^\^ft  to  my  decoy,  eager  to  be  caught ; 
I  sit  no  quiet  angler,  lingering  patiently  for  sport, 
But  spread  my  nets  for  a  draught,  and  take  the  glittering  shoal ; 
I  chase  no  solitary ^tag,  tracking  it  with  breathless  toil, 
But  hunt  v,-ith  Aurung-z^'be,  and  spear  surrounded  tliousanfls  !  (') 

What  then. — count  ye  this  a  bo;i.<t  ? — Lsweet  charity,  think  it  other, 
For  the  dog-fish  and  poisonous  ray  are  captured  in  the  niul let-haul : 
The  crane  and  the  kite  are  of  my  thoughts,  alike  with  the  partridge  and 

the  quail, 
And  Tuiclean  meats  as  of  the  clean  hang  upon  my  Seric  shambles. 
— How,  saith  he  ?  shall  a  man  deceive,  dressing  up  liis  jackal  as  a  lion  ? 
Or  colour  in  st^ud  hues  of  fact  tlie  changing  vest  of  falsehood  ? — 
Brother,  unwittingly  he  may  ;  doubtless,  unwillingly  he  doth  : 
For  men  are  full  of  fault,  and  !:ow  should  he  be  righteous  ? 
Carefully  my  garden  hath  been  weeded,  yet  shall  it  be  foul  wifh  thistle  ; 
My  grapery  is  diligently  thinned,  and  yet  many  berries  will  be  sour : 
From  my  nets  have  I  ibing  tlie  bad  away,  to  my  small  skill  and  caution ; 
Yet  mny  some  slimy  ;-nake  have  counted  for  an  eel ; 
The  rudder  of  man's  best  hope  cannot  always  steer  himself  from  error ; 
The  arrovv"  of  man's  straightest  aim  flieth  short  of  truth. 
Thus,  the  confession  of  sincerity  visit  not  as  if  it  were  pretuunptior) ; 
Nor  own  me  for  a  leader,  \\  here  thy  reason  is  not  guide. 


OF  CHEERFULNESS.  131 


OF  CHEERFULNESS. 

Take  courage,  prisoner  of  time,  for  tliere  he  many  comforts, 
Cease  tliy  labour  in  the  pit,  and  bask  awhile  with  truants  in  the  sun ; 
Be  cheerful,  man  of  care,  for  great  is  the  multitude  of  chances, 
Burst  thy  fetters  of  anxiety,  and  walk  among  the  citizens  of  ease.. 
Wherefore  dost  thou  doubt  ?  if  present  good  is  round  thee, 
It  may  be  well  to  look  for  change,  but  to  trust  in  a  continuance  is  better; 
Whilst,  at  the  crisis  of  adversity,  to  hope  for  some  amends  were  \visdom, 
And  cheerfully  to  bear  thy  cross  in  patient  strength  is  duty. 
I  speak  of  common  troubles,  and  the  pettj-  plagues  of  life, 
The  phaJitom-spies  of  Unbelief,  that  lurk  about  his  outposts  : 
Sharp  suspicion,  didl  distrust,  and  sullen  stern  moroseness. 
Are  captains  in  that  locust  swarm  to  lead  the  cloudy  host. 
Thou  hast  need  of  fortitude  and  faith,  for  the  adversaries  come  on  thickly, 
And  he  that  fled  hath  added  wings  to  his  ])ursuing  foes  ; 
Fight  them,  and  the  cravens  flee ;  thy  boldness  is  their  panic  ; 
Fear  them,  and  thy  treacherous  heart  hath  lent  the  ranks  a  legion  : 
Among  their  shouts  of  victory  resoundeth  the  wail  of  Heraclitus, 
While  Democrite,  confident  and  cheerful,  hath  plucked  up  the  standard 
of  their  camp.  (') 

Not  few  nor  light  are  the  burden?  of  life  :  then  load  it  not  with  heaviness 

of  spirit ; 
Sickness,  and  penun,',  and  tnivail, — there  be  real  ills  enow  : 
We  are  wandering  benighted,  \\'ith  a  \vaning  moon ;  plunge  not  rashly 

into  jungles. 
Where  cold  and  poisonous  damps  will  quench  the  torcli  of  hope  : 
The  tide  is  strong  against  us  ;  good  oarsmen  pull  or  perish, — 
If  your  arms  be  slack  for  fear,  ye  shall  not  stem  the  torrent. 
A  wise  traveller  goeth  on  cheerily,  through  fair  weather  or  foul ; 
He  knoweth  that  his  journey  nuist  be  sped,  so  he  carrieth  his  sunshine 

with  liiin. 
Calamities  come  not  as  a  curse, — nor  pro;-perity  for  other  than  a  trial ; 
Struggle, — thou  art  better  for  the  strife,  and  the  verj'  energy  shall  hearten 

thee. 
Good  is  taught  in  h  Spartan  school, — hard  lessons  and  a  rough  discipline, 


13a  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

But  evil  Cometh  idly  of  itself,  in  the  luxury  of  Capuan  holidays ; 
And  wisdom  will  go  bravely  forth  to  meet  the  chastening  scourge, 
Enduring  witli  a  thankful  heart  that  punishment  of  Love. 

There  be  three  chief  rivers  of  despondency ;  .'iin,  sorrow,  fear ; 

Sin  is  the  deepest,  sorrow  hath  its  shallows,  and  fear  is  a  noisy  rapid  : 

But  even  to  the  darkest  holes  in  guilt's  profoundest  river 

Hope  can  pierce  with  quickening  ray,  and  all  those  depths  are  lightened. 

So  long  as  there  is  mercy  in  a  God,  hope  is  the  privilege  of  creatures, 

And  so  soon  as  there  is  penitence  in  creatures,  that  hope  is  e.xalted  into 

duty. 
Verily,  consider  this  for  courage  ;  that  the  fearful  and  the  unbelieving 
Are  classed  with  idolaters  and  liars,  because  they  trusted  not  in  God:  (') 
For  it  is  no  other  than  selfish  sin,  a  hard  and  proud  ingratitude, 
Where  seeming  repentance  is  herald  of  despair,  instead  of  hopu's  fore- 
runner. 

Moreover,  in  thy  day  of  Grief, — for  friends,  or  fame,  or  fortune, 

Well  I  wot  the  heart  shall  ache,  and  mind  be  numbed  in  torpor : 

Let  nature  weep  ;  leave  her  alone  ;  the  freshet  of  lier  sorrow  must  run  ofT; 

And  sooner  will  the  lake  be  clear,  relieved  of  turbid  floodings. 

Yet  see  that  her  license  hath  a  limit ;  with  the  novelty  her  agony  is  over ; 

Hasten  in  tliat  earliest  calm,  to  tie  her  in  the  leash  with  Reason. 

For  regrets  are  an  enervating  folly,  and  the  season  for  energy  is  come. 

Yea  ratlier,  that  the  future  may  repair  v»'ith  diligence  the  ruins  of  the  past. 

Again,  for  empty  fears,  the  harassings  of  possible  calamity  ; 

Pray,  and  thou  shalt  prosper;  trust  in  God,  and  tread  them  dov>-n. 

Yield  to  the  phantasy, — thou  sinnest ;  resist  it.  He  will  aid  thee. 

Out  of  him  there  is  no  help,  nor  any  sober  couraoe. 

Feeble  is  the  comfort  of  the  faithless,  a  man  without  a  God  ; 

Who  dare  counsel  such  an  one  to  fiing  away  his  fears  ? 

Fear  is  the  heritage  of  him,  a  portion  wise  and  merciful, 

To  drive  the  trembler  into  safety,  if  haply  he  ni^.y  turn  and  fivo  : 

Nevertheless,  let  him  reckon  if  he  will,  that  all  he  counteth  casual 

May  as  well  he  for  him  as  against  him  :  dice  have  many  sides  : 

And,  even  as  in  ailments  of  the  body,  diseases  folio-.v  closely  upon  dreads. 

So,  with  infirmities  of  mind,  is  fear  the  pallid  harbiaser  of  failure. 

It  were  wise  to  talk  undaunted  even  in  an  accidental  chaos, 


OF  CHEERFULNESS.  13j 

For  the  brave  man  is  at  peace  and  free  to  get  the  mastery  of  circumstance 
Tlie  stoutest  armour  of  defence  is  that  which  is  worn  within  the  bosom, 
And  th3  weapon  that  no  enemy  can  parry,  is  a  bold  and  cheerful  spirit : 
Catapults  in  old  war  worked  like  Titans,  crushing  foes  with  rocks ; 
So  dotli  a  strong-springod  haart  throw  back  every  load  on  its  assailants. 

I  went  heavily  for  cures,  and  fell  hito  the  trance  of  sorrow  : 

And  behold,  a  vision  in  my  trance,  and  my  ministering  angel  brought  it : 

There  stood  a  mountain  Imge  and  steep,  the  awful  Rock  of  Ages ; 

The  sun  upon  its  summit,  and  storms  midway,  and  deep  ravines  at  foot; 

And,  a>  I  looked,  a  dense  black  cloud,  suddenly  dropphig  from  the  thunder, 

Filled,  like  a  cataract,  v.'itli  yeasty  foam,  a  narrow  smiling  valley  : 

Close  and  hard  that  vaporous  mass  seemed  to  press  the  ground. 

And  lamentable  sounds  came  up,  as  of  some  that  were  smothering  beneatli- 

Then,  as  I  walked  upon  the  mountain,  clear  in  summer's  noon. 

For  charity  I  called  aloud,  Ho  I  climb  up  hither  to  the  sunshine. 

And  even  like  a  stream  of  ligiit  my  voice  had  pierced  the  mist : 

I  saw  below  two  families  of  men,  and  knev.^  their  names  of  old  : 

Courage,  struggling  through  the  darkness,  stout  of  heart  and  gladsom.e, 

Run  up  the  shining  hidder  wliich  the  voice  of  hope  ];ad  made  ; 

And  tririping  lightly  by  his  side,  a  su-eet-eyed  helpmate  with  him, 

I  looked  upon  her  face  to  welcome  pleasant  Cheerfulness  ; 

And  a  babe  was  cradled  in  her  bosom,  a  laughing  little  prattler. 

The  child  of  Cheerfulness  and  Courage, — could  liis  name  be  other  than 

Success  ? 
So,  from  his  happy  v.ii'e,  when  they  both  stood  beside  mo  on tlie mountain, 
Tiie  fond  father  took  that  babe,  and  set  him  on  his  shoulder  in  the  sunshine. 

.\gc'ln  I  peered  into  the  valley,  for  I  heard  a  gasping  moan, 

A  desolate  weak  crj',  as  mutiled  in  the  vapours. 

S'o  dowTi  that  crystal  shaft  into  the  poisonous  mine 

I  sped  for  charity  to  seek  and  5.ave, — and  those  I  sought  fled  from  me. 

.At  length,  I  spied  far  distant,  a  trembling  withered  dwarf, 

Who  crouch  .-d  beneath  the  cloak  of  a  tall  and  spectral  mourner ; 

Tiien  I  knew  Cowardice  and  Gloom,  and  followed  them  on  in  darkness^ 

(juided  by  their  rustling  robes  and  moans  and  mntlled  cries, 

Until  in  a  sutibcating  pit  the  wretched  pair  had  perished, — 

And  lo,  their  whitening  bones  were  sliaping  out  an  epitaph  of  Failure., 


134  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

So  I  saw  that  despondency  was  de;it!i,  and  flung  my  burdens  from  me, 
And,  lightened  by  that  effort,  I  was  raised  above  the  world  ; 
Yea,  in  the  strangeness  of  my  vision,  I  seemed  to  soar  on  wings, 
And  tlie  names  they  called  my  wings  were  Cheerfulness  and  Wisdom. 


OF    YESTERDAY. 

Sfeak,  poor  almsman  of  to-day,  whom  none  can  assure  of  a  to-morrow, 
Tell  out,  with  honest  heart,  the  price  thou  settest  upon  yesterday. 
Is  it  then  a  writing  in  the  dust,  traced  by  the  finger  of  idleness, 
Which  Industry,  clean  housewife,  can  w"ipe  away  for  ever  ? 
Is  it  as  a  furrow  on  the  sand,  fashioned  by  the  toying  waves, 
Quickly  to  bo  trampled  then  again  by  the  feet  of  the  returning  tide  ? 
Is  it  as  the  pale  blue  smoke,  rising  from  a  peasant's  hovel. 
That  melteth  into  limpid  air,  before  it  topped  the  larches  ? 
Is  it  but  a  vision,  nnstable  and  unreal,  which  wise  men  scon  forget  ? 
Is  it  as  the  stranger  of  the  night, — gone,  we  heed  not  whitlier  ? 
Alas !  thou  foolish  heart,  whose  thouglits  are  but  as  these, 
Alas  !  deluded  soul,  tliat  hopeth  thus  of  Yesterday. 

For,  behold, — those  temples  of  Ellora,  the  Brahmin's  rock-built  shrine, 

Behold, — yon  granite  cliff",  which  the  North  Sea  buflTeteth  in  vain, — 

That  stout  old  forest  fir, — these  waking  verities  of  life, — 

This  guest  abiding  ever,  not  strange,  nor  a  servant,  but  a  son, — 

Such,  O  man,  are  vanity  and  dreams,  transient  as  a  rainbow  on  the  cloud, 

Weighed  against  that  solid  fact,  thine  i!l-remembered  Yesterday. 

Come,  let  me  show  thee  an  ensample,  where  ?<fature  shall  instruct  us  ; 
Luxuriantly  the  arguments  for  trutli  spring  native  in  her  gardens. 
Seek  wc  yonder  woodman  of  the  plain  ;  he  is  measuring  his  axe  to  the  elm, 
And  anon  the  sturdy  strokes  ring  upon  the  wintry  air : 
Eagerly  the  village  schoolboys  cluster  on  the  tightened  rope, 
Shouting,  and  bending  to  the  pull,  or  lifted  from  the  ground  clastic  ; 
The  huge  tree  boweth  like  Sisera,  boweth  to  its  foes  with  faintness, — 
Its  sinevv's  cracJi, — deep  groans  declare  the  reeling  anguish  of  Goliath, 


OF  YESTERDAY.  •         135 

The  wedge  is  driven  home, — and  the  saw  is  at  its  heart, — and  lo,  w  itli 

solemn  slowness, 
The  shuddering  monarch  riseth  from  liis  throne,  toppled  with  a  crash, — 

and  is  fallen ! 

Now,  shall  the  mangled  stiunp  teach  proud  man  a  lepson : 
Now,  can  we  from  that  elm-tree's  sap  distill  the  wine  of  Truth. 
Heed  ye  those  hundred  rings,  concentric  from  the  core, 
Eddying  in  various  waves  to  the  red  bark's  shore-like  rim  ? 
These  be  the  giithering  of  yesterdays,  present  all  to-tlay, 
This  is  the  tree's  judgment,  self-history  that  cannot  be  gainsaid : 
Seven  years  agone  tliere  was  a  drought, — and  the  seventh  ring  is  nar- 
rowed ; 
The  fifth  from  hence  was  half  a  deluge. — the  fifth  is  cellular  and  broad. 
Thus,  ]Man,  thou  art  a  result,  the  growth  of  many  yesterdays. 
That  stamp  thy  secret  soul  with  marks  of  weal  or  woe  : 
Thou  ait  an  almanac  of  self,  the  living  record  of  thy  deeds ; 
Spirit  hath  its  scars  as  well  as  body,  sore  and  aching  in  their  season  : 
Here  is  a  knot, — it  was  a  crime ;  there  is  a  canker, — selfishness ; 
Lo,  here,  the  heart-wood  rotten  ;  lo,  there,  perchance,  the  sap-wood  sound. 
Nature  teachelh  not  in  vain ;  thy  works  are  in  thee,  of  thee  ; 
Some  present  evil  bent  hath  grown  of  older  errors ; 
And  what  if  thou  be  walking  now  uprightly  ?     Salve  not  tliy  wounds 

with  poison. 
As  if  a  petty  goodness  of  to-day  hath  blotted  out  the  sin  of  yesterday  : 
It  is  well,  thou  hast  life  and  light ;  and  the  Hewer  showeth  mercy, 
Dressing  tlie  root,  pruning  the  branch,  and  looking  for  thy  tardy  fruits ; 
But,  even  here,  as  thou  standest,  cheerful  belike  and  careless, 
The  stains  of  ancient  evil  are  xipon  thee,  the  record  of  thy  wrong  is  in 

thee  : 
For,  a  curse  of  many  yesterdays  is  thine,  many  yesterdays  of  sin, 
That,  haply  little  heeded  now.  sIkiU  blast  tliy  many  morrows. 

Shall  then  a  man  reck  nothing,  but  hurl  mad  defiance  at  his  Ju<lge, 

Knowing  that  less  than  an  omnipotent  cannot  make  the  has  been,  not  been  7 

He  ought, — so  Satan  spake  ;  he  must, — so  Atheism  urgeth  ; 

He  may,  it  was  the  libertine's  thought ;  he  doth, — the  bad  world  said  it. 

But  tliou  of  humbler  heart,  thou  student  wiser  for  simplicity, 

While  nature  wameth  thee  betimes,  heed  the  loving  counsel  of  Religion. 


136  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

True,  this  change  is  good,  and  penitence  most  precious ; 

But  trust  not  thou  thy  change,  nor  rest  upon  repentance ; 

For  we  all  are  corrupted  at  the  core,  smooth  as  surface  seemeth  ; 

What  health  can  hloom  in  a  beautiful  skin,  when  rottenness  hath  fed  upon 

the  bones  ? 
And  guilt  is  parcel  of  us  all ;  not  thou,  sweet  nursling  of  affection. 
Art  spotless,  though  so  passing  fair, — nor  thou,  mild  patriarch  of  virtue. 

Behold  then  the  better  Tree  of  Life,  free  unto  us  all  for  grafting. 

Cut  thee  from  the  hollow  root  of  self,  to  be  budded  on  a  richer  Vine. 

Be  desperate,  O  man,  as  of  evil,  so  of  good  :  tear  that  tunic  from  thee ; 

T'he  past  can  never  be  retrieved,  be  the  present  what  it  may. 

Vain  is  the  penance  and  the  scourge,  vain  t'.ie  fast  and  vigil ; 

The  fencer's  cautious  skill  to-day,  can  this  erase  his  scars  ? 

It  is  Man's  to  famish  as  a  faquir,  it  is  Man's  to  die  a  devotee. 

Light  is  the  torture  and  the  toil,  balanced  with  the  wages  of  Eternity : 

But,  it  is  God's  to  yearn  in  love  on  the  humblest,  the  poorest,  and  the 

worst. 
For  he  giveth  freely,  as  a  King,  asking  only  thanks  for  mercy. 
Look  upon  this  noble-hearted  Substitute ;  seeing  thy  woes,  he  pitied  thee, 
Bowed  beneath  the  mountain  of  thy  sin,  and  perished, — but  for  Godhead ; 
'inhere  stood  the  Atlas  in  his  power,  and  Prometheus  in  his  love  is  there, 
Emyjtying  on  wretched  man  the  blessings  earned  from  heaven  : 
Put  them  not  away,  hide  them  in  thy  heart,  poor  and  penitent  receiver, 
Be  gratitude  thy  counsellor  to  good,  and  wholesome  fear  unto  obedience : 
llemember,  the  pruning-knife  is  keen,  cutting  cankers  even  from  the  vine  : 
Remember,  twelve  were  chosen,  and  one  among  them  liveth — in  perdition. 

Yea, — for  standing  unatonod,  the  suul  is  a  bison  on  the  prairie. 

Hunted  by  those  trooping  wolves,  the  many  sinful  yesterdays : 

And  it  speedeth  a  terrified  Deucalion,  flinging  back  the  pebble  in  liis  flight, 

Tiie  pebble  tliat  nuist  add  one  more  to  those  pursuing  ghosts.  {*) 

O  man,  there  is  a  storm  behind,  should  drive  thy  bark  to  haven ; 

Thy  foe,  the  foe  is  on  thy  track,  patient,  certain,  and  avenging ; 

Day  by  day,  solemnly  and  silently,  fol!o^veth  tlie  fearful  past, — 

His  step  is  lame  but  sure  ;  for  he  catcheth  the  present  in  eternity : 

And  how  to  escape  that  foe,  the  present-past  in  future  ? 

How  to  avert  that  fate,  livmg  consequence  of  causes  unesistent? 

Boldly  we  must  overleap  his  birth,  and  date  above  his  memories, 


OF  TO-DAY.  137 

Grafted  on  the  living  Tree  that  was  before  a  yesterday  ; 

No  refuge  of  a  younger  birth  than  one  that  saw  creation, 

Can  hide  the  child  of  time  from  still  condemning  yesterday. 

There  is  the  Sanctuarj--city,  mocking  at  the  wrath  of  tliine  Avenger, 

Close  at  hand,  with  its  wicket  on  the  latch ;   haste  for  thy  life,  poor 

liunted  one ! 
The  gladiator,  Guilt,  fighteth  as  of  old,  armed  with  net  and  dagger ; 
Snaring  in  the  mesh  of  yesterdays,  stabbing  with  the  poniard  of  to-day : 
Fly,  thy  sword  is  broken  at  the  hilt ;  fly,  thy  shield  is  shivered ; 
Leap  the  barriers  and  baflle  him  ;  the  arena  of  the  past  is  his. 
The  bounds  of  Guilt  are  the  cycles  of  Time ;  thou  must  be  safe  within 

Eternity ; 
The  arms  of  God  alone  shall  rescue  thee  from  Yesterday. 


OF    TO-DAY. 

Now.  is  the  constant  syllable  ticking  from  the  clock  of  time, 

Now,  is  the  watchword  of  the  wise.  Now,  is  on  the  banner  of  the  prudent. 

Cherish  thy  to-day  and  prize  it  well,  or  ever  it  be  gulfed  into  the  past, 

Husband  it,  for  who  can  promise  if  it  shall  have  a  morrow  ? 

Behold  thou  art, — it  is  enough  ;  that  present  care  be  thine ; 

Leave  thou  the  past  to  thy  Redeemer,  intrust  the  future  to  thy  Friend ; 

But  for  to-day,  child  of  man,  tend  thou  charily  the  minutes. 

The  harvest  of  thy  yesterday,  the  seed-corn  of  thy  morrow. 

Last  night  died  its  day  ;  and  the  deeds  thereof  were  judged  : 

Thou  didst  lay  thee  down  as  in  a  shroud,  in  darkness  and  death-like 

slumber ; 
But  at  the  trumpet  of  tliis  morn,  waking  the  world  to  resurrection, 
Thou  didst  arise,  like  others,  to  live  a  new  day's  life  ; 
Fear,  lest  folly  give  thee  cause  to  mourn  its  passing  presence, 
Fear,  that  to-morrow's  sigh  be  not,  would  God  it  had  not  dawned ! 

For,  To-day  the  lists  are  set,  and  thou  must  bear  thee  bravely, 
Tilting  for  honour,  duty,  life,  or  death  without  reproach : 
To-day,  is  the  trial  of  thy  fortitujde,  O  dauntless  Mandan  chief; 


138  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

To-day,  is  thy  watch,  O  sentinel ;  to-day  thy  reprieve,  O  captive ; 

What  more  ?  to-day  is  tlic  g^olden  chance  wherewith  to  snutch  fruition, — • 

Be  glad,  grateful,  temperate  :  there  are  asps  among  the  figs. 

For  the  potter's  clay  is  in  thy  hands, — to  mould  it  or  to  mar  it  at  thy  will, 

Or  idly  to  leave  it  in  the  sun,  an  uncouth  lump,  to  harden. 

0  bright  presence  of  To-day,  let  me  wrestle  with  thee,  gracious  angel, 

1  will  not  let  thee  go,  except  thou  bless  me  ;  bless  me,  then,  To-day  : 

0  sweet  garden  of  Tc-day,  let  me  gather  of  thee,  precious  Eden, 

1  have  stolen  bitter  knowledge,  give  mc  fruits  of  life  To-day: 

0  true  temple  of  To-day,  let  m?  worship  in  thee,  glorious  Zion  ; 

1  find  none  other  place  nor  time,  than  where  I  am  To-day : 

0  living  rescue  of  To-day,  let  me  run  unto  thee,  ark  of  refuge  ; 

1  see  none  other  hope  nor  chance,  but  standeth  in  To-day : 

0  rich  banquet  of  To-day,  let  me  feast  upon  thee,  saving  manna; 

1  have  none  other  food  nor  stove,  but  daily  bi-ead  To-day ! 

Behold,  thou  art  pilot  of  the  sliip,  and  ov/ner  of  that  freighted  galleon. 
Competent,  v/ith  all  thy  v/eakness,  to  steer  into  safety  or  be  lost : 
Compass  and  chart  are  in  thy  hand :  roadstead  and  rocks  thou  knowest ; 
Thou  art  warned  of  reefs  and  shallows ;  thou  helioldest  the  harbour  and 

its  lights. 
\Vliat '!    shall  thy  wantonness  or  sloth  drive  the  gtillant  vessel  on  the 

breakers  ? 
What  ?  shall  the  helmsman's  l:;ind  wear  upon  the  black  lee  shore  ? 
Vain  is  that  excuse ;   thou  canst  escape  :   thy  mind  is  responsible  for 

wrong  : 
Vain  that  murmur ;  thou  may'st  live  :  'hy  soul  is  debtor  for  the  right. 
To-day,  in  the  voyage  of  thy  life  down  tiie  dark  tide  of  time. 
Stand  boldly  to  thy  tiller,  guide  thee  by  the  pole-star,  and  be  safe : 
To-day,  passing  near  the  sunken-rocks,  the  quicksands  and  whirlpools  of 

probation, 
Leave  av/hile  the  rudder  to  swing  round,  give  the  wind  its  heading,  and  be 

wrecked. 

The  crisis  of  man's  destiny  is  Now,  a  still  recurring  danger : 
Who  can  tell  the  trials  and  temptations  coming  with  tlie  coming  hour  ? 
Thou  standest  a  target-like  Sebastian,  and  the  arrows  whistle  near  thee : 
Who  Icnowcth  when  he  may  be  hit  ?  for  great  is  the  company  of  archerg. 


OF  TO-MORROW.  13D 

Each  breath  is  burdened  with  a  bidding,  and  o\'cry  minute  hath  its  mis- 
sion ; 
For  spirits,  good  and  bad,  cluster  on  tiie  thickly  peopled  air : 
Sin  may  blast  thee,  grace  may  bless  thee,  good  or  ill  tliis  hour : 
Chance,  and  change,  and  doubt,  and  fear,  are  parasites  of  all. 
A  man's  hfe  is  a  tower,  with  a  staircase  of  many  steps, 
That,  as  he  toileth  upward,  crumble  successively  behind  him : 
No  going  back,  the  p-;ist  is  an  abyss  ;  no  stopping,  for  the  present  perish- 

eth ; 
But  ever  hasting  on,  precarious  on  the  foothold  of  To-{lay. 
Our  cares  are  all  To-day  ;  our  joys  are  all  To-div  ; 
And  in  one  little  word,  our  life,  what  is  it,  but — To-day  ? 


OF    TO-MORROW. 

Tkef.e  is  a  floating  island,  forward,  on  the  stream  of  time. 

Buoyant  with  fermenting  air,  and  borne  along  the  rapids ; 

And  on  that  island  is  a  siren,  singing  s^weetly  as  she  goeth. 

Her  eyes  are  bright  with  invitation,  and  allurement  lurketh  in  her  checks ; 

Slany  lovers  vainly  pursuing,  follow  her  beckoning  finger, 

Many  lovers  seek  her  gtiU,  even  to  the  cataract  of  deatli. 

To-morrow  is  that  island,  a  vain  and  foolish  heritage, 

And,  lar.ghing  with  eediictive  lips.  Delusion  liideth  there. 

Often,  the  precious  present  is  wasted  in  visions  of  the  future, 

And  coy  To-morrow  cometh  not  with  prophecies  fulfilled. 

There  is  a  ftiiry  skiff,  plying  on  the  sea  of  life, 

And  cliaritably  toiling  still  to  save  the  shipwrecked  crev.'s  ; 

Within,  kindly  patient,  sitteth  a  gentle  mariner, 

Piloting,  through  surf  and  strait,  the  fragile  barks  of  men : 

How  cheering  is  her  voice,  how  skilfully  she  guidcth, 

How  nobly  leading  onward  yet,  defying  even  death  ! 

To-morrow  is  that  skiff,  a  wise  and  welcome  rescue, 

And,  full  of  gladdening  words  and  looks,  that  mariner  is  Hope. 

Often,  the  painful  present  is  comforted  by  flatterii\g  the  future, 

And  kind  To-moiTov/  beareth  half  the  burdens  of  To-day, 


140  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

To-morrow,  whifpereth  weakness;  and  To-morrow  findeth  him  the  weaker: 
To-morrow,  promiseth  conscience  ;  and  behold,  no  to-day  for  a  fulfilment. 

0  name  of  happy  omen  unto  youth,  O  bitter  word  of  terror  to  the  dotard, 
Goal  of  folly's  lazy  wish,  and  sorrow's  ever-coming  friend, 

Fraud's  loophole, — caution's  hint, — and  trap  to  catch  the  honest, — 

Thou  wealth  to  many  poor,  disgrace  to  many  noble. 

Thou  hope  and  fear,  thou  weal  and  woe,  tliou  remedy,  thou  ruin, 

How  tliickly  swamis  of  thought  are  clustering  round  To-morrow. 

The  hive  of  memory  increaseth,  to  every  day  its  cell ; 

There  is  the  labour  stored,  the  honey  or  corruption  : 

Each  morn  the  bees  fly  forth,  to  fill  the  growing  comb. 

And  levy  golden  tribute  of  the  uncomplaining  flowers  : 

To-morrow  is  their  care  ;  they  toil  for  rest  To-morrow  ; 

But  man  deferretli  duty's  task,  and  loveth  ease  to-day. 

To-morrow  is  that  lamp  upon  the  marsh,  which  a  traveller  never  reacheth  ; 
To-morrow,  the  rainbow's  cup,  coveted  prize  of  ignorance  ; 
To-morrow,  the  shifting  anchorage,  dangerous  tr\ist  of  mariners  ; 
To-morrow,  the  wrecker's  beacon,  wily  snare  of  the  destroyer. 
Reconcile  conviction  with  delay,  and  To-morrow  is  a  fatal  lie ; 
Frighten  resolutions  into  action,  To-morrow  is  a  wholesome  truth  : 

1  must,  for  I  fear  To-morrow  ;  this  is  the  Cassava's  food  ; 

Why  should  I  ?  let  me  trust  To-morrow, — this  is  the  Cassava's  poison. 

Lo,  it  is  the  even  of  To-day, — a  day  so  lately  a  To-morrow  ; 
WHiere  are  those  high  resolves,  those  hopes  of  yesternight  ? 

0  faint  heart,  still  shall  thy  whisper  be.  To-morrow, 

And  must  the  growing  avalanche  of  sin  roll  down  that  easy  slope  ? 

Alas,  it  is  ponderous,  and  moving  on  in  might,  that  a  Sisyphus  may  not 

stop  it ; 
But  haste  thee  with  the  lever  of  a  prayer,  and  stem  its  strengtli  To-day : 
For  its  race  may  speedily  be  run,  and  this  poor  nut,  thyself, 
Be  whelmed  in  death  and  suffocating  guilt,  that  dreary  Alpine  snow-wrealh. 

Pensioner  of  life,  be  wise,  and  heed  a  brother's  counsel, 

1  also  am  a  beadsman,  with  scrip  and  staff"  as  thou  : 
Wouldest  thou  be  bold  against  the  past,  and  all  its  evil  memories, 
Wouldest  thou  be  safe  amid  the  present,-  its  dangers  and  temptations, 
Wouldest  thou  be  hopeful  of  the  future,  vague  though  it  be  and  endless  ? 


OF  AUTHORSHIP.  141 

Haste  thee,  repent,  believe,  obey  !  thou  standest  in  the  courage  of  a  legion ; 

Commend  the  Past  to  God,  witli  all  its  irrevocable  harm, 

Humbly,  but  in  cheerful  trust,  and  banish  vain  regrets ; 

Come  to  him,  continually  come,  casting  all  the  Present  at  his  feet, 

Boldly,  but  in  prayerful  love,  and  fling  off  selfish  cares  ; 

Commit  the  Future  to  his  will,  the  viewless  fated  Future  ; 

Zealously  go  forward  with  integrity,  and  God  will  bless  thy  faith. 

For  that,  feeljle  as  thou  art,  there  is  with  thee  a  mighty  Conqueror, 

Thy  friend,  tlie  same  for  ever,  yesterday,  to-day,  and  to-morrow; 

That  friend,  changeless  as  eternity,  himself  shall  make  thee  friends 

Of  those  thy  foes  transformed,  yesterday,  to-day,  and  to-morrow. 


OF   AUTHORSHIP. 

Great  is  tlie  dignity  of  Authorship  :  I  magiiify  mine  office  ; 

Albeit  in  much  feebleness  I  hold  it  thus  unworthily. 

For  it  is  to  be  one  of  a  noble  band,  the  welfare  of  the  world, 

Whose  haunt  is  on  the  lips  of  men,  whose  dwelling  in  their  hearts, 

Who  are  precious  in  the  retrospect  of  Memory-,  and  walk  lomong  the  visions 

of  Hope, 
Who  commune  with  the  good  for  everlasting,  and  call  the  wisest,  brotiior, 
Whose  voice  hath  burst  the  Silence,  and  whose  light  is  flung  upon  the 

Darkness, 
— Flashing  jewels  on  a  robe  of  black,  and  harmony  bounding  out  of  chaos, — 
Who  gladden  empires  with  their  wisdom,  and  bless  to  the  farthest  gene- 
ration. 
Doers  of  ilhmitable  good,  gainers  of  inestimable  glory  ! 
We  speak  but  of  the  Magnates,  we  heed  none  humbler  than  the  highest, 
We  take  no  count  of  sorn,'  scribes,   nor  waste  one  tliought  upon  tlie 

groundlings  ; 
Our  eyes  are  lifted  from  tlic  multitude,  groping  in  the  dark  with  candled, 
To  gaze  upon  that  firmament  of  praise,  the  constellated  lamps  of  learning. 
Everduring  witnesses  of  Mind,  undisputed  evidence  of  Power, 
Goodly  volumes,  living  stones,  build  up  their  author's  temple  ; 
Though  of  low  estate,  his  rank  is  above  princes, — though  needy,  he  liath 
worship  of  the  rich, 


142  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

When  Genius  unfurleth  on  the  winds  his  banner  as  a  mighty  leader. 

Just  in  purpose,  and  self-possessed  in  soul,  lord  of  many  talents, 

The  mental  Croesus  goeth  forth,  rejoicing  in  his  wealth  ; 

Keen  and  clear  perception  o'loweth  on  his  forehead  like  ^  sunbeam, 

He  readeth  men  at  a  glanct;,  and  rnists  roll  away  before  him ; 

The  wise  have  set  him  n;;  tiieir  captain,  the  foolish  are  rebuked  at  his 

presence. 
The  excellent  bless  him  witli  their  prayers,  and  the  wicked  praise  him  by 

their  curses ; 
His  voice,  mighty  in  operation,  stirreth  up  the  world  as  a  trumpet, 
And  kings  account  it  honour  to  be  numbered  of  his  friends. 

Rrire  is  the  worthiness  of  Authorship  :  I  justify  mine  ofTicc  ; 

Albeit  fancies  weak  as  mine  credit  not  the  calling. 

For  it  addeth  immortality  to  dying  facts,  that  are  ready  to  vanish  away, 

Embalming  as  in  amber  the  poor  insects  of  an  hour; 

Shedding  upon  stocks  and  stones  the  tender  light  of  interest, 

And  illumining  dark  places  of  the  earth,  with  radiance  of  classic  lustre. 

It  hath  power  to  make  past  things  present,  and  availotli  for  the  present  in 

the  future. 
Delivering  thoughts,  and  words,  and  deeds,  from  the  outer  darkness  of 

oblivion : 
Where  are  ti;e  sages  and  the  heroes,  giants  of  old  time  ? — 
Where  are  the  mighty  kings  that  reigned  before  Agamemnon  ? — 
Alas,  they  lie  unwept,  unhonoured,  hidden  in  the  midnight : 
Alas,  for  they  died  unchroniclcd  :  their  memorial  perished  v/ith  them. 
Where  are  the  nobles  of  Nineveh,  and  mitred  rulers  of  Babylon  ? 
Whore  are  the  lords  of  Edom,  and  the  royal  pontiffs  of  Thebais  ? 
The  golden  Satrap,  and  the  Tetrarch, — the  Hun,  and  the  Druid,  and  the 

Colt  ? 
The  merchajit  princes  of  Phoenicia,  and  the  minds  that  fashioned  Ele- 

plumta  ? 
Alas,  for  the  poet  hath  forgotten  them  ;  and  lo !  they  are  outcasts  of 

Memory  ; 
.Alas,  that  they  are  v/ithored  leaves,  sapless  and  iiillen  from  tlie  chaplet  of 

fame. 
Speak,  Etruria,  whose  bones  be  these,  entombed  with  costly  care, — 
Tell  out,  Herculaneum,  the  titles  that  have  sounded  in  those  tliy  palaces,— 
Lycian  Zanthus,  thy  citadels  are  mute,  and  the  honour  of  their  architecta 

hath  died ;  ^ 


OF  AUTHORSHIP.  143 

Copan  and  Palenque,  dreamy  ruins  in  tlio  Wes*^,  t!ie  forest  hath  swallowed 

up  your  sculptures  ;  (®) 
Syracuse, — how  silent  of  the  past ! — Carthage,  thou  art  blotted  from  re- 
membrance ! 
Egypt,  wondrous  sliores,  ye  are  buried  in  the  sandhills  of  forgetfulnoss  ! 
Ala?;, — for  in  your  glorious  youth,  Time  himself  was  young, 
And  none  durst  wrestle  with  that  Angel,  iron-sincv.'ed  bridegroom  of  Space; 
80  he  fi=w  by,  strong  upon  the  wing,  nor  dropped  one  falling  feather, 
Wherewith  some  lioaiy  scribe  might  register  their  honour  and  renown. 
Beyond  tlie  broad  Atlantic,  in  the  regions  of  the  sotting  sun, 
Aslc  of  the  plume-crowned  Incas,  that  ruled  in  old  Peru, — 
Ask  of  grand  Caziques,  and  priests  of  the  pyramids  of  Mexico, — 
Ask  of  a  thousand  painted  tribes,  high  nobility  of  Nature, 
Who,  once,  could  roam  their  own  Elyjian  plains,  free,  generous,  and 

happy, 
Wiio,  no\\-,  degraded  and  in  exile,  having  sold  their  fatherland  for  nought, 
Sink  and  are  extinguished  in  the  western  seas,  even  as  the  sun  they 

follow, — 
Where  is  the  record  of  their  deeds,  their  prowess  worthy  of  Achilles, 
Nestor's  wisdom,  the  chivalry  of  Manlins,  the  native  eloquence  of  Cicero, 
The  skill  of  Xcnophon,  the  j-pirit  of  A'cibiades,  the  firmness  of  a  Macca- 

ba2an  mother. 
Brotherly  love  tJiat  Antigone  might  envy,  the  honour  and  the  fortitude  of 

Regulns  ? 
Alas  !  their  glor}'  and  their  praise  have  vanislied  like  a  summer-cloud  ; 
Alas  !  that  they  are  dead  indepd  ;  tlioy  are  not  written  down  in  the  Book 

of  the  living. 

High  is  tliC  privilege  of  Authoriliip  :  I  purify  mine  oiTice  ; 

Albeit  earthly  stains  pollute  it  in  my  hands. 

For  it  is  to  the  world  a  teacher  and  a  guide.  Mentor  of  that  gay  Telema- 

cb.us  ; 
Warning,  conn^orting,  and  helping, — a  lover  and  a  friend  of  ilan. 
n-^avon"s  almoner,  Earth's  health,  patient  minister  of  goodness, 
With  ki:id  and  zealous  pen,  the  wi^e  religious  blesscth  : 
Nature's  worsliippcr,  and  noopliyte  of  grace,  rich  in  tender  Pj'mpathie.s, 
With  kindled  soul  and  Hashing  eye  the  poet  pouroth  out  his  heartful : 
Priest  of  truth,  champion  of  innocence,  warder  of  the  gates  of  praise, 
Cai'efully  with  sifting  search  laboureth  the  pale  historian  : 


144  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

ErroFis  enemy,  and  acolyte  of  science,  firm  In  sober  argument. 

The  calm  philosopher  marshalleth  his  facts,  noting  on  his  page  tlieir 

principles. 
These  pour  mercies  upon  men ;  and  others,  little  less  in  honour, 
By  cheerful  wit  and  graphic  tale  refreshening  the  harassed  spirit. 
But,  there  be  other  some  beside,  buyers  and  sellers  in  the  temple. 
Who  shame  their  high  vocation,  greedy  of  inglorious  gain  ; 
There  be,  who,  fabricating  books,  heed  of  them  meanly  as  of  merchandise  ; 
And  seek  nor  use,  nor  truth,  nor  fame,  but  sell  their  minds  for  lucre : 
O  false  brethren  !  ye  wot  indeed  the  labour,  but  are  witless  of  the  love  ; 
O  lying  prophets,  chilled  in  soul,  unquickened  by  the  life  of  inspiration  ! — 
And  there  be.  who,  frivolous  and  vain,  seek  to  make  others  foolish. 
Snaring  Youth  by  loose  sweet  song,  and  Age  by  selfisli  maxim  ; 
Cleverly  heartless,  and  wittily  profane,  they  swell  the  river  of  corruption  : 
Brilliant  satellites  of  .sin, — my  soul,  be  not  found  among  tlieir  company. 
And  there  be,  who,  haters  of  religion,  toil  to  prove  it  priestcraft. 
Owning  none  other  aim  nor  hope,  but  to  confound  the  good  : 
Woe  unto  them  !  for  their  works  shall  live  ;  yea,  to  their   utter  con- 
demnation : 
Woe  !  for  their  ov.'n  handwriting  shall  te.^^tify  against  them  for  ever. 

Pure  is  the  happiness  of  Autiiorship  :  I  glorify  mine  office  ; 

Albeit  lightly  having  sipped  the  cup  of  its  lower  pleasures. 

For  it  is  to  feel  with  a  father's  heart,  when  he  yearneth  on  the  child  of  his 
affections  ; 

To  rejoice  in  a  man's  own  miniature  world,  gladdened  by  its  rare  arrange- 
ment. 

The  poem,  is  it  not  a  fabric  of  mind  ?  we  love  what  we  create  : 

That  choice  and  musical  order, — how  pleasant  is  the  toil  of  composition ! 

Yea,  when  the  volume  of  the  universe  was  blazoned  out  in  beauty  by  its 
Author, 

God  was  glad,  and  blessed  liis  work  ;  for  it  was  very  good. 

And  shall  not  the  image  of  his  Maker  be  l«ippy  in  his  own  mind's  doing, 

Looking  on  the  structure  he  hath  reared,  gratefully,  with  swe^t  com- 
placence ? 

Shall  not  the  Miverva  of  his  brain,  panoplied  and  perfect  in  proportions, 

Gladden  the  soul  and  gi\'e  light  unto  the  eyes  of  him  the  travailing  parent  ? 

Go  to  the  sculptor,  and  ask  him  of  his  dreams, — where  lore  are  his  nights  so 
moonlit  ? 


OF  AUTHORSHIP.  145 

Angel  faces,  and  beautiful  shape.*,  fascinate  the  pale  Pygmalion  : 
Go  to  the  painter,  and  trace  his  re?verie.'5, — '.vherefore  are  his  daj^s  so  sunny  ? 
Choice  design  and  skilful  colouring  charm  the  flitting  hours  of  Parrhasius  : 
Even  so,  walking  in  his  buoyancy,  intoxicate  witli  fairy  fancies. 
The  young  enthusiast  of  authorship  goeth  on  his  way  rejoicing  : 
Behold, — he  is  gallantly  attended  ;  legions  of  thrilling  thoughts 
Throng  about  the  standard  of  his  mind,  and  call  his  Will  th.eir  captain ; 
Behold, — his  court  is  as  a  monarch's  ;  ideas,  and  gTand  imaginations 
Swell,  with  gorgeous  cavalcade,  the  splendour  of  his  Spiritual  State ; 
Behold, — he  is  delicately  ser\-ed  ;  for  oftentimes,  in  solitary  calmness, 
Some  mental  fair  Egeria  smileth  on  her  Numa's  worsliip  ; 
Be];old, — he  is  happy ;  there  is  gladness  in  his  eye,  and  his  heart  is  a 

sealed  fountain, 
Bounding  secretly  with  joys  un.'^een,  and  keeping  down  its  ecstasy  of 

pleasure ! 

Yea  ;  how  dignified,  and  worthy,  full  of  privilege  and  happiness, 

Standeth  in  majestic  independence  the  self-ennobled  Author ! 

For  God  hath  blessed  liim  v.itli  a  mind,  and  clierished  it  in  tenderness  and 

purity, 
Hath  tauglit  it  in  the  whisperings  of  wisdom,  and  added  all  the  riches  of 

content : 
Therefore,  leaning  on  his  God,  a  pensioner  for  soul  and  body, 
His  spirit  is  the  subject  of  none  otlier,  calling  no  man  Master. 
His  hopes  are  mighty  and  eternal,  scorning  small  ariTbitions  : 
He  hideth  from  the  pettiness  of  praise,  and  pitieth  the  feebleness  of  envy. 
If  he  meet  honours,  well :  it  may  be  his  humility  to  take  them  : 
If  he  be  rebuked,  better  ;  his  veriest  enemy  shall  teach  him. 
For  the  master-mind  hath  a  birthright  of  eminence  ;  his  cradle  is  an  eagle's 

eyrie : 
Need  but  to  wait  till  his  wings  are  grown,  and  genius  soareth  to  the  sun : 
To  creeping  things  upon  the  mountain  leavcth  lie  the  gi-adual  ascent, 
Resting  his  swiftness  on  the  summit  only  for  a  higher  flight. 
Glad  in  clear  good-conscience,  lightly  dotli  he  look  for  commendation  ; 
\\Tiat,  if  the  propiict  larketh  honour  ?  for  he  can  spare  that  praise : 
The  honest  giant  careth  not  to  be  patted  on  the  back  by  pigmies : 
Flatter   greatness,  he   brooketh  it  good-humouredly :    blame  him, — thou 

tiltest  at  a  pjTamid  : 
Yet,  just  censure  of  tlie  good  never  can  he  hear  without  contrition ; 

7 


14G  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Neitlier  would  he  miss  one  wise  man's  praise,  for  scarce  is  that  jewel  and 
costly. 

On'y  for  the  herd  of  common  mind',  and  the  vulgar  trumpetings  of  fame, 

If  aught  he  hocdeth  in  the  matter,  his  honour  is  sought  in  their  neglect. 

Slender  is  the  marvel,  and  little  is  the  glory,  when  round  his  luscious 
fruits 

The  worm  and  the  wasp  and  the  multitude  of  flics  are  gathered  as  to  ban- 
quet ; 

Fashion's  freak,  and  the  critico.l  sting,  and  the  flood  of  flatteries,  ho  scorncth; 

Choerrully  asking  of  ilvi  crowd  the  favour  to  forget  him  : 

The  while  his  blooming  fruits  ripen  in  richer  fragrance, 

A  feast  for  the  few, — and  the  many  yet  unborn, — who  still  shall  love  their 


So  tlicn,  humbly  with  his  God,  and  proudly  independent  of  his  fellows, 
Walketh,  in  pleasures  multitudinous,  the  man  ennobled  by  his  pen  : 
Ho  hath  built  up,  glorious  architect,  a  monument  more  durable  than  brass  ; 
His  children's  children  shall  talk  of  him  in  love,  and  teach  their  sons  his 

honour : 
His  dignity  hath  set  him  among  prinr^es,  the  universe  is  debtor  to  his  worth, 
His  privilege  is  bles-iug  for  ever,  his  happiness  shineth  now. 
For  he  standetli  of  that  grand  Election,  each  man  one  among  a  thousand. 
Whose  sound  is  gone  out  into  all  lands,  and  their  vv'ords  to  tlic  euJ  of  the 

v,-orld ! 


OF    MYSTERY. 

Alt,  things  being  are  in  mystery ;  we  expound  mysteries  by  mysteries ; 

And  yet  the  secret  of  thorn  all  is  one  in  simnle  grandeur : 

All  intricate,  yet  each  path  plain,  to  tiiose  who  knov/  the  way  ; 

All  unapproaohablo,  yet  easy  of  access,  to  ihem  that  hold  the  key : 

We  walk  among  labyrinths  of  wonder,  but  thre;id  the  mazes  with  a  clue ; 

Wo  sail  in  chariless  seas,  but  behold  !  the  polp-star  is  above  us. 

F'«ir,  counting  down  from  God's  good-will,  thou  meltest  every  riddle  into 

him, 
The  axiom  of  reason  is  an  undiscovered  God,  and  all  things  live  in  his 

ubiquity ; 


OF  MYSTERY.  147 

There  is  only  one  grent  secret ;  but  that  one  hid??th  every  where  ; 

How  should  the  infinite  bo  understood  in  Tirao,  vrhcn  it  stretchclh  r.n  un- 

gTa?pod  for  ever ; 
Can  a  halting  CEdipus  of  earth  gue.ss  that  enigma  of  tiie  universe  ? 
Not  one  :  the  sword  of  faith  must  cut  the  Gordian  knot  of  nature. 

God,  pervading  all,  is  in  all  things  the  mystery  of  each  ; 

The  wherefore  of  its  character  and  essence,  the  fountain  of  its  virtues  and 

its  bsauties. 
The  child  asketh  of  its  mother, — Wherefore  is  the  violet  so  sweet  ? 
The  mother  answereth  licr  babe, — Darling,  God  hath  willed  it. 
And  sages,  diving  into  science,  have  but  a  profandi'y  cf  words, 
They  track,  for  some  few  links,  the  ciicling  chain  of  consequence, 
And  then,  after  doubts  and  disp'.-.tatinn?,  are  loft  whore  they  began. 
At  the  bald  conclusion  of  a  clown,  things  are  because  they  are. 
Wherefore  are  the  meadows  green,  is  it  not  to  gi-atify  the  eye  ? 
But  why  should  greenness  charm  the  eye  ?  such  is  God's  good  v.'ill. 
Wherefore  is  the  ear  attuned  to  a  pleasure  in  musical  scund=, 
And  wlio  set  a  number  to  those  sounds,  and  fixed  the  laws  of  harmony  ? 
WJio  taught  the  bird  to  build  its  nest,  or  lent  the  shrub  its  life, 
Or  foiled  in  the  lah^nces  of  order  tl:c  power  to  attrrct  r.rd  to  repel  ? 
\Vlio  continucth  the  worlds,  and  the  sea,  and  the  h'»art  in  motion  ? 
Who  commanded  gravitation  to  tie  down  all  upon  it's  sphere  ? — 
For  evfn  as  a  lim?ftone  c'ifi'is  r.n  aggrcgr.te  of  countless  shells, 
One  riddle  concrete  of  mam*,  a  mystery  compact  of  mysteries. 
So  God,  cloudcapped  in  immensity,  standeth  the  cohesion  of  all  things, 
And  secrets,  sublimely  indistinct,  permeate  that  Universe,  Himself: 
As  is  the  whole,  so  are  the  parts,  whether  they  be  mighty  or  minute : 
The  sun  is  not  more  unexplained  than  the  tissue  of  an  emmet's  wing. 

Thus,  then,  omnipresent  Deity  wcrketh  his  tmbiasscd  mind, 

A  mind,  on?  in  moral,  but  infinitely  multiplied  in  means : 

And  the  uniform  prudence  of  his  will  cometli  to  be  cor.nted  law, 

Till  mutiible  man  fancieth  volition,  stirring  in  the  potter's  clay : 

God,  a  wise  father,  showeth  not  his  reasons  to  his  babes ; 

I)Ut  willeth  in  secrecy  and  goodness ;  for  causes  generate  dispute : 

Then  we,  his  darkling  children,  wa^ch  that  invariable  purpose. 

And  invest  the  passive  creature  with  its  Maker's  energy  and  skill. 

Therefore,  they  of  old  time  stopped  short  of  God  in  idols ; 


148  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Therefore,  in  these  latter  days,  we  heed  not  the  Jehovah  in  his  works. 

Mystery  is  God's  great  name ;  Ho  is  the  mystery  of  goodness : 

Some  other,  from  the  hicrarchs  of  heaven,  usurped  the  mystery  of  sin. 

God  is  the  King,  yea,  even  of  himself;  he  crowned  himself  with  holiness; 

The  burning  circlet  of  iniquity  anotlier  found  and  wore. 

God  is  separate,  even  from  his  attributes ;   but   he  Vv'illcd  eternally  tlis 

good; 
Therefore  freely,  though  unchangeably,  is  wise,  rightaoLis,  and  loving : 
But  ambition,  open  unto  angels,  saw  the  evil,  flung  aside  from  everlasting: 
It  was  Lucifer  that  saw,  and  nothing  loathed   tliose   black   unclaimed 

regalia, 
So  he  coveted  and  stole,  to  be  counted  for  a  king,  antagonist  of  God : 
Eui  when  he  touched  the  leprous  robes,  behold,  a  cheated  traitor. 

For  self-existence,  charactered  with  love,  with  power,  wisdom,  and  ubi- 
quity, 
Could  not  dwell  alono,  but  willed  and  worked  creation. 
Thus  in  continual  exhalation,  darkening  the  void  with  matter, 
Sprang  from  pvolilic  Deity  the  creatures  of  his  skill ; 
And  beings,  living  on  his  breath,  were  needfully  less  perfect  than  himself, 
Therefore  less  capable  of  bliss,  whereat  his  benevolence  was  bounded  ; 
So  to  make  the  capability  expand,  intensely  progressive  to  eternity. 
He  suffered  darkness  to  illustrate  the  light,  and  pain  to  heighten  pleasure  ; 
To  heap  up  happiness  on  souls  he  loved,  allowed  he  sin  and  sorrow, 
And  then  to  guilt  and  grief  and  shame,  he  brought  unbidden  amnesty : 
Sinless,  none  had  been  redeemed,  nor  wrapt  again  in  God : 
Sorrowless,  no  confiict  had  l)een  known,  and  heaven  had  been  mulcted  ot 

its  comfort : 
Yea,  with  evil  unexhibited,  probationary  toils  unfelt. 
Men  had  not  appreciated  good,  nor  angels  valued  their  security. 
Herein,  to  reason's  eye,  is  revealed  the  mystery  of  goodness, 
Blessing  through  permitted  woe,  and  teaching  by  the  mystery  of  sin. 

O  Chhristian,  whose  chastened  curiosity  loveth  things- mysterious, 
Accounting  them  shadows  and  eclipses  of  Him  the  one  great  light, 
Look  now,  satisfied  with  faith,  on  minds  that  judge  by  sense. 
And  dull  from  contemplating  matter,  take  small  heed  of  spirit. 
Toiling  feebly  upward,  their  argument  tracketh  from  below, 
They  catch  the  latest  consequent,  and  prove  the  nearest  cause : 


or  MYSTERY.  149 

What  is  this  ?  that  a  seed  produced  a  seed,  and  so  for  a  thousand  seasons. 

Ascend  a  thousand  st^ps,  thy  ladder  leaveth  thee  in  air : 

Thou  canst  net  clirni)  to  God,  and  short  of  Him  is  nothing ; 

There  is  no  cause  for  aught  we  see,  but  in  his  present  will. 

Begin  from  the  Maker,  thou  carriest  down  his  attributes  to  reptiles, 

The  sharded  beetle  and  the  lizard  live  and  move  in  Him  : 

Begin  from  the  creature,  corruption  and  infirmity  mar  thy  foolish  toil : 

Heap  Ossa  on  Olympus, — how  much  art  thou  nearer  to  tlie  stars  ? 

It  is  easy  running  from  a  mountain's  top  down  to  tiio  valleys  at  its  foot, 

But  difficult  and  steep  the  laborious  ascent,  and  feebly  shalt  thou  roach  it; 

Yet  man,  beginning  from  himself,  that  first  deluding  mystery, 

Hopeth  from  the  pit  of  lies  to  struggle  up  to  truth  ; 

So,  taxing  knowledge  to  its  strength,  he  pusheth  one  step  furtlicr, 

And  fancieth  complacently  that  much  is  done  by  reaching  a  remote  effect: 

Then  he  makeih  answer  to  himself,  as  a  silly  nurse  to  her  little  one, 

Evading,  in  a  mist  of  words,  hard  things  he  cannot  solve ; 

Till,  like  an  ostrich  in  the  desert,  he  burieth  his  head  in  atoms, 

Hoping  that,  if  he  is  blind,  no  sun  can  shine  in  heaven. 

Therefore  cometh  it  to  pass,  that  an  atheist  is  ever  the  most  credulous. 

Snatching  at  any  foolish  cause,  that  may  dispel  his  doubts  ; 

And,  even  as  it  were  for  ridicule,  a  spectacle  to  men  and  angels, 

The  captious  and  cautious  unbeliever  is  of  all  men  weakest  to  believe : 

Cut  from  the  anchorage  of  God,  his  bark  is  a  plaything  of  the  billows ; 

The  compass  of  his  principle  is  broken,  the  rudder  of  his  faith  imshipped : 

Chance  and  Fate,  in  a  stultified  antagonism,  govern  all  for  Iiim ; 

Truth  sprang  from  the  conflict  of  falsities,  and  the  multitude  of  accidents 

hath  bred  design ! 
Where  is  the  imposture  so  gross  that  shall  not  entrap  hi-  curiosity  ? 
What  superstition  is  so  abject  that  it  doth  not  blanch  his  clieek  ? 
Whereof  can  he  be  sure,  with  wh.om  Chaos  is  substitute  for  Order  ? 
How  should  his  silly  structure  sUind,  a  pyramid  built  upon  its  apex  ? 
Yea,  I  have  seen  gray-headed  men,  tlie  bastard  slips  of  science, 
Go  for  light  to  glowworrus,  v^hile  they  scorn  the  sun  at  noon ; 
Men,  who  fear  no  God,  trembling  at  a  gipsy's  curse. 
Men,  who  jest  at  a  revelation,  clinging  to  a  madman's  prophecy ! 

There  is  a  pleasing  dread  in  the  fashion  of  all  mysteries, 

For  hope  is  mixed  tJierein  and  fear ;  who  shall  divine  their  issue  ? 


150  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Even  the  or])haii,  vvandcrin;,^  by  night,  lost  on  dreary  moors, 

Is  sensible  of  some  vague  bliss  amidst  liis  shapeless  terrors ; 

The  buoyancy  of  instant  expectation,  spurring  on  the  mind  to  venture, 

Oi'erb?areth,  in  its  energy,  the  crimp  and  the  chill  of  apprehension. 

There  is  a  solitary  pride,  when  the  heart,  in  new  iinj;ortanco, 

Writcth  gladiy  on  its  archive?,  the  secrets  none  other  men  have  seen : 

And  there  is  a  caged  terror,  evermore  wrrcstling  with  the  mind, 

Wi)cn  crime  hatii  whispered  his  confession,  and  the  secrets  are  written 

there  in  blocd : 
The  village  maiden  is  elated  at  a  tenderly  confided  tale  ; 
The  bandit's  wife  wiih  sickening  fear  guessed  the  premeditated  murder; 
The  sage,  with  triumph  on  his  brow,  hideth  his  deep  discovery ; 
The  idlest  clown  shall  delve  all  day  to  find  a  liidden  treasure. 

For  mystery  is  man's  life  ;  we  wake  to  the  whisperings  of  novelty : 
And  what,  though  we  lie  down  disappointed  ?  we  sleep,  to  wake  in  hope. 
The  letter,  or  the  news,  the  chances  and  the  changes,  matters  that  may 

happen, 
Sweeten  or  embitter  daily  life  with  the  honey-gall  of  myster}\ 
For  we  walk  blindfold, — and  a  minute  may  be  much, — a  step  may  reach 

the  precipice ; 
What  earthly  los.-,  what  heavenly  gain,  may  not  this  day  produce  ? 
Lc-vel'ed  of  Alps  and  Andes,  without  its  valleys  and  ravines, 
How  dull  the  face  of  earth,  unfeaturcd  of  both  beauty  and  sublimity : 
And  so,  shorn  of  mystery,  beggared  in  its  hopes  and  fears, 
How  flat  the  prcjpect  of  existence,  mapped  by  intuitive  foreknowledge  7 
Praise  God,  creature  of  earth,  for  the  mercies  linked  with  secrecy, 
That  spices  of  uncertainty  enrich  thy  cup  of  life : 
Praise  God,  his  hosts  on  high,  for  tlie  mysteries  that  make  all  joy ; 
What  Vv-ere  intelligence,  with  nothing  more  to  learn,  or  heaven,  in  eternity 

of  sameness  ? 

To  number  every  mystery  were  to  sum  the  sum  of  all  things: 
None  can  exhaust  a  theme,  whereof  God  is  example  and  similiti-ide. 
Nevertheless,  take  a  garland  from  the  garden,  a  handful  from  the  harvest, 
Some  scattered  drops  of  spray  from  the  ceaseless  mighty  cataract. 
Wiiencc  are  we, — whither  do  we  tend, — liow  do  v.-e  feel  and  reason  ? 
How  strange  a  thing  is  man,  a  spirit  saturating  clay ! 
When  doth  soul  make  embryos  immortal, — how  do  they  rank  hereafter, — 
Ana  wiH  the  unconscious  idiot  be  quenched  in  death  as  nothing  ? 


OF  MYSTERY.  151 

In  essence  immaterial,  are  these  minds,  as  it  were  thinking  machines  ? 
P'or,  to  understand  may  but  rightly  be  to  use  a  mechanism  all  possess, 
So  that  in  reading  or  hearing  of  another,  a  man  shall  soem  unto  himself 
To  be  recollecting  images  or  arguments,  native  and  congenial  to  his  mind : 
iVnd  yet,  vvljat  shall  we  say, — wlio  can  aread  tlie  liiidle  ? 
The  brain  uuiy  be  cIockvvorl<,  and  mind  its  spring,  mechanism  quickened 
by  a  spirit. 

Who  so  shrewd  r.s  riglitly  to  divide  life,  instinct,  reason ; 
Trees,  zoopbytes,  creatures  of  the  plain,  and  savage  man  among  thsm? 
Hath  tlie  uiiniosa  instinct, — or  the  scallop  more  than  life, — 
Or  the  dog  less  than  reason, — or  the  brute  man  more  than  instinct  ? 
Wiiat  is  the  cause  of  health, — and  the  gendering  of  disease  ? 
Why  should  arsenic  kill, — and  whence  is  the  potency  of  antidotes  ? 
Behold,  a  morsel, — eat  and  die ;  the  term  of  thy  probation  is  expired : 
Behold,  a  potion — drink  and  be  alive ;  the  limit  of  tliy  trial  is  enlarged. 
Who  can  expound  beauty  ?  or  explain  the  character  of  nations  ? 
Who  will  furnish  a  cause  for  the  epidemic  force  of  fashion  ? 
Is  there  a  moral  magnetism  liviiig  in  the  light  of  example  ? 
Is  practice  electricity  ? — Yet  all  these  are  but  names. 
Doth  normal  Art  imprison,  in  its  work^^,  spirit  translated  into  subjtance, 
So  that  the  statue,  the  picture,  or  the  jioem,  are  crystals  of  the  mind  ? 
And  doth  Philossiphy  with  sublimating  slviil  shred  away  the  matter, 
fill  rarefied  intelligence  cxudeth  even  out  of  stocks  and  stones  ? 
'-  » 

O  mvFteries,  ye  aU  are  one,  th?  mind  of  an  inexpUcabb  Architect 
Dwelleth  alike  in  each,  quickening  and  moving  in  them  all. 
Fields,  and  forests,  and  cities  of  men,  their  woes,  and  wealth,  and  works, 
Ani  cu-toin?.  and  contrivances  of  life,  with  all  we  see  anl  know. 
For  a  little  v.ay,  a  little  while,  ye  hang  dependent  on  each  other, 
But  all  are  held  in  cne  right  hand,  and  by  His  will  ye  are. 
Hfre  is  answer  rnto  mystery,  an  unintelligible  God, 
Tiiis  is  the  end  and  the  beginning,  it  is  rea-.on  that  He  be  not  un  lerstood. 
Therefore  it  were  probable  and  just,  even  to  a  man's  weak  thinking. 
To  have  one  for  God  who  always  may  be  learnt,  yet  never  fiil'.y  known  : 
That  He,  from  wliom  all  mysteries  spring,  in  whom  they  all  converge, 
Throu'^d  in  his  sublimity  beyond  the  grovellings  of  lower  intellect, 
Shoi  Id  claim  to  bo  truer  than  man's  truest,  the  boasted  certainty  of  numbers, 
Should  battle  his  arithmetic,  confound  his  demonstrations,  and  paralyze  the 
might  of  Lia  necessity, 


152  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Standing   supreme  as  the  mystery  of  mystcrief?,  every  where,  yet  im- 
personate, 
Essential  one  in  tliree,  essential  three  in  one  ! 


OF   GIFTS. 

I  HAD  a  seeming  friend ; — I  gave  liim  gifts,  and  he  was  gone ; 
I  had  an  open  enemy  ; — I  gave  him  gifts,  and  won  him  ; 
Common  friendsiiip  standeth  on  equaUties,  and  cannot  bear  a  debt ; 
But  the  very  heart  of  liate  melteth  at  a  good  man's  love  : 
Go  to,  then,  thou  that  sayest, — I  Vvill  give  and  rivet  ll;e  links  : 
For  pride  shall  kick  at  obligation,  and  push  the  giver  from  hiux. 
The  covetous  spirit  may  rejoice,  revelling  in  thy  largess, 
But  chilling  seliishness  will  mutter, — I  must  give  again : 
The  vain  heart  may  be  glad,  in  this  new  proof  of  man's  esteem, 
But  the  same  idolatry  of  self  abhorreth  thoughts  of  thanking. 

Nevertheless,  give ;  for  it  shall  be  a  discriminative  test, 

Separating  honesty  from  falsehood,  weeding  insincerity  from  friendship  : 

Give,  it  is  like  God  ;  thou  weariest  the  bad  with  benefits : 

Give,  it  is  like  God  ;  thou  gladdenest  the  good  by  gratitude. 

Give  to  thy  near  of  kin,  for  Providence  hath  stationed  thee  his  helper : 

Yet  see  that  he  claim  not  as  his  ri<jht,  thy  freewill  ofFering  of  duty. 

Give  to  the  young,  they  love  it ;  neither  hath  the  poison  of  suspicion 

Spoilt  the  flavour  of  their  thanks,  to  look  for  latent  motives. 

Give  to  merit,  largely  give ;  his  conscious  heart  will  bless  thee  : 

It  is  not  flattery,  but  love, — the  sympathy  of  men  his  brethren. 

Give,  for  encouragement  in  good  ;  the  weak  desponding  mind 

Hath  many  foes,  and  m.uch  to  do,  and  leaneth  on  its  friends. 

Yet  heed  thou  wisely  these  ;  give  seldom  to  thy  better  ; 

For  such  obtrusive  boon  shall  savour  of  presumption; 

Or,  if  his  courteous  bearing  greet  thy  proffered  kindness, 

Shall  not  thine  independent  honesty  be  vexed  at  the  semblance  of  a  bribe  ? 

Moreover,  heed  thou  this  ;  give  to  thine  equal  charily. 

The  occasion  fair  and  fitting,  the  gift  well  chosen  and  desired : 


OF  GIFTS.  153 

Hath  he  been  prosperous  and  blest  ?  a  flower  may  show  thy  gladness ; 
Is  he  in  need  ?  with  liberal  love,  tender  him  the  well-filled  purse  : 
Disease  shall  welcome  friendly  care  in  g-rapes  and  precious  unguents  ; 
And  where  a  darlinjr  child  hath  died,  give  praise,  and  liope,  and  sympathy; 
Yet  on:"e  more,  heed  thou  this  ;  give  to  the  poor  discreetly, 
Nor  suffer  idle  sloth  to  lean  upon  thy  charitable  arm  : 
To  diligence  give,  as  to  an  equal,  on  just  and  fit  occasion  ; 
Or  he  bartereth  his  hard-earned  selt-reliance  for  the  casual  lottery  of  gifts  ; 
The  timely  loan  hath  added  nerve,  where  easy  liberality  would  palsy  ; 
Work  and  wages  make  a  light  heart :  but  the  mendicant  asketh  with  a 

heavy  spirit. 
A  man's  ov/n  self  respect  is  wortli  unto  liim  m.ore  than  money, 
And  evil  is  the  charity  tliat  humbleth,  and  maketh  man  less  happy. 

There  are  who  sow  liberalities,  to  reap  the  like  again ; 

But  men  accept  his  boon,  scorning  the  shallow  usurer  ; 

I  have  known  many  such  a  fisherman  lose  his  golden  baits ; 

And  oftentimes  the  tame  decoy  escapeth  with  the  flock. 

Yea,  there  are  who  give  unto  the  poor,  to  gain  large  interest  of  God : 

Fool, — to  think  His  wealth  is  money,  and  not  mind : 

And  haply  after  thine  alms,  tliy  calculated  givings, 

The  hurricane  shall  blast  thy  crops,  and  sink  the  homev.'ard  snip ; 

Tlieu  shall  thy  worldly  soul  murmur  that  the  balances  were  false. 

Thy  ti"ader's  mind  shall  think  of  God, — He  stood  not  to  his  bargain  ! 

Give,  saitii  the  preacher,  be  large  in  liberality,  yield  t(j  the  holy  unpulse, 
Tarry  not  for  cold  consideration,  but  cheerfully  and  freely  scatter  ; 
So,  for  complacency  of  conscience,  in  a  gush  of  counterfeited  charity, 
He  that  hath  not  wherewith  to  be  just,  selfishly  presumeth  to  be  generous ; 
The  debtor,  and  the  rich  by  wrong,  are  known  among  the  band  of  the  be- 
nevolent ; 
And  men  extol  the  noble  hearts,  who  rob  that  they  may  five. 
Receivers  arc  but  little  ])rone  to  challenge  rights  of  giving, 
Nor  stop  to  test,  for  conscience-sake,  the  righteousness  of  mammon : 
And  the  zealot  in  a  cause  is  a  receiver,  at  the  hand  which  betteretli  his 

cause ; 
And  thus  an  unsuspected  bribe  shall  blind  the  good  man's  judgment : 
It  is  easy  to  excuse  greatness,  and  the  rich  are  readily  forgiven : 
What,  if  his  gains  were  evil,  sanctified  by  using  them  aright  ? 

7* 


154  rROVEREIAL  PHILOSOPHT. 

O  shallow  flatterer,  soU'-intcrcst  is  thy  thougiit, 

Hopeless  of  partaking  in  the  like,  thovi  too  woul'.Iost  scorn  the  giver. 

Money  hath  its  value ;  and  tlio  scatterer  thereof  his  thauks  : 

Few  m?n,  drinking  at  a  rivulet,  stop  to  consider  its  source. 

The  hand  tliat  closeth  on  an  aim,  be  it  for  necessities  or  zeal, 

Hath  small  scruple  whence  it  came  :  Vespasian  rejoiceth  in  his  tribute; 

Therefore  have  colleges  and  hospitals  risen  upon  orphans'  wrongs, 

Chapels  and  cathedrals  have  thriven  on  the  welcome  wages  of  inifjuity, 

And  fraud,  in  evil  compensation,  hath  salved  his  guilty  conscience, 

Not  by  restoring  to  th-j  clioated,  but  by  ostentatious  giving  to  the  grateful. 

So,  those  who  reap  rejoice ;  and  reaping,  bless  the  sower : 
No  one  is  eager  to  discover,  where  discovery  tcndcth  unto  loss; 
Yet,  if  knowledge  of  a  theft  make  gainers  thereby  guilty. 
Gin  he  bo  altogether  innocent  who  never  asked  the  honesty  of  gain  ? 
Therefore,  O  preacher,  zealous  for  charity,  temper  thy  Wcarm  appeal, — 
Warning  the  debtor  and  unjustly  rich,  they  may  not  dare  to  give  : 
To  do  good  is  a  privilege  and  guerdon  :  how  shouldost  thou  rejoice 
If  ill-got  gifts  of  presumptuous  fraud  be  offered  on  the  altar  ? 
The  question  is  not  of  degrees ;  unhallov/ed  alms  arc  evil : 
Discourage  and  reject  alike  the  obolus  or  talent  of  iniquity., 

Yet  more,  be  careful  tliat,  unwortliily,  thou  gain  not  a,n  advantage  over 

Vv^eakness, 
Unstable  souls,  fervent  and  profuse,  fliittered  by  the  feeling  of  the  mom.cnt : 
For  eloquence  swayeth  to  its  will  the  feeble  and  the  conscious  of  defect : 
Rashly  give  they,  and  afterwards  are  sad, — a  gift  tliat  dovbly  erred. 
It  was  the  woi'ldliness  of  priestcraft  tliat  accounted  almsgiving  for  charity; 
And  many  a  father's  penitence  hatii  steeped  his  son  in  penun; : 
Yet,  considered  he  lightly  the  guilt  of  a  deathbed  selfishness 
That  strove  to  take  with  him,  for  gain,  the  gold  no  longer  his  ; 
So  he  died  in  a  false  peace,  and  dying  robbed  his  kindred  ; 
The  cunning  friar  at  his  side  having  cheated  both  the  living  and  the  deed. 

Charity  sitteth  on  a  fair  hill-top,  blessing  far  and  near, 
But  her  garments  drop  ambrosia,  chietly  on  the  violets  around  her : 
She  gladdeneth  indeed  the  maplike  scene,  stretching  to  the  verge  of  the 
horizon, 


OF  GIFTS.  155 

For  her  anijel  face  is  lus'.rcus  and  bclovc:!,  even  as  the  moon  in  heaven : 
But  the  light  of  that  boatiMc  vision  glowcth  in  serener  concentration, 
TiiC  nearer  to  her  heart,  and  nearer  to  her  home, — that  hill-top  where  she 

sitteth  : 
Therefore  is  she  kind  unto  her  kin,  yearninn-  in  affection  on  her  neighbours, 
Gi\ino'  Gifts  to  thos?  around  wiio  know  and  Ibve  her  well. 
But  the  counterfeit  of  charity,  an  hypocrite  of  cartli,  not  a  grace  of  heaven, 
Sei  ketli  not  to  bless  at  homo,  for  her  nearer  aspect  is  ill-favoured  : 
Thcrjfcie  hidetli  she  for  shame,  counting  that  pride  humility, 
And  none  of  those  around  her  hearth  are  gladJened  by  her  gifts  : 
llatlicr,  witii  an  overreaching  zeal,  tlingeth  she  her  bounty  to  the  stranger, 
And  s:^;itterod  prodigalities  abroad  compensate  for  meanness  in  her  home  ; 
For  beucMts  shovvered  on  the  distant  shine  in  unmixed  beauty, 
^o  that  even  she  may  reap  their  undiscerning  praise  : 
Therefore  native  want  hath  pined,  where  foreign  need  was  fattened  ; 
Vv'oman  been  crushed  by  tiie  tyrannous  liand  that  upheld  the  flag  of  lib- 
erality ; 
Poverty  been  prisoned  up  and  starved  by  hearts  that  arc  maudlin  upon  crime ; 
And  freeborn  babes  been  manacled  by  men  who  liberate  the  sturdy  slave. 

Policy  counseileth  a  gift,  given  wisely  juid  in  season. 

And  po'icy  afterward  approveth  it,  for  great  is  the  inlluence  of  gifts. 

The  lover,  unsmiled  upon  before,  is  welcomed  for  his  jewelled  buubic  ; 

The  righteous  cause  vvitliout  a  fee  must  yield  to  bounteous  guilt  : 

IJow  fair  is  a  man  in  thine  esteem  whose  just  discrimination  seeketh  thee, 

And  so,  discerning  merit,  honoureth  it  with  gifts  I 

"Vea,  let  the  cause  appear  sufiicient.  and  tlie  motive  clear  and  unsuspicious, 

As  given  unto  one  who  cannot  help,  or  proving  honest  tiianks. 

There  liveth  not  one  among  a  million  v/ho  is  proof  against  the  charm  of 

liberality, 
And  flattery,  that  boon  of  piaise,  hath  power  with  the  wisest. 

Man  is  of  three  natures,  craving  all  for  charity  : 

It  is  not  enough  to  give  him  meats,  withholding  other  comfort ; 

For  the  mind  starvcth,  and  the  soul  is  scorned,  and  so  the  human  animal 

Eateth  its  nnsatisfying  pittance,  a  thankless,  heartless  pauper: 

Yet  would  he  bless  thee  and  be  grateful,  didst  thou  feed  his  spirit, 

And  teach  liim  that  thine  almsgivings  are  charities,  are  loves. 

— I  saw  a  beggar  ui  tiie  street,  and  another  beggar  pitied  him; 


156  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Sympathy  sank  into  his  Koal,  and  the  pitied  one  felt  happier  : 
Anon  passed  by  a  cavalcade,  children  of  wealth  and  gayety  ; 
Tiioy  laughed  and  looked  upon  the  beggar,  and  tlie  gallants  Hung  him 

gold ; 
He,  poor  spirit-hnmbled  wretch,  gathered  up  their  givings  with  a  curse. 
And  went — to  sliare  it  with  his  brother,  the  beggar  who  had  pitied  Liin ! 


OF    BEAUTY. 

Thou  mightier  than  Manoah's  son,  whence  is  thy  great  strength, 
And  wherein  the  secret  of  thy  craft,  O  charmer  charming  wisely  ? — 
For  thou  art  strong  in  weakness,  and  in  artlessness  well-skilled, 
Constant  in  the  multitudes  of  change,  and  simple  amidst  intricate  com- 
plexity. 
Folly's  shallow  lip  can  ask  the  deepest  question. 
And  many  wise  in  many  words  should  answer,  what  is  beauty  ? 
Who  shall  separate  the  hues  that  flicker  on  a  dying  dolphin, 
Or  analyze  the  jewelled  lights  that  deck  the  peacock's  train, 
Or  shrewdly  nsix  upon  a  pallette  the  tints  of  an  iridescent  spar, 
Or  set  in  rank  the  wandering  shades  about  a  watered  silk  ? 

For  beauty  is  intangible,  vague,  ill  to  be  defined  : 

She  hath  the  coat  of  a  chameleon,  changing  while  we  watch  it. 

Strangely  woven  is  the  web,  disorderly  yet  harmonious, 

A  glistening  robe  of  mingled  mesh,  that  may  not  be  unravelled. 

It  is  shot  with  heaven's  blue,  the  soul  of  summer  skies, 

And  twisted  strings  of  light,  the  mind  of  noonday  suns, 

And  ruddy  gleams  of  life,  that  roll  vAowj  the  vVliis, 

A  coat  of  many  colours,  running  curiously  togetiier. 

There  is  threefold  beauty  for  man  ;  twofold  b?auty  for  the  animal  ; 

And  the  ijeauty  of  inanimates  is  single :  body,  temper,  spirit. 

Multiplied  in  endless  combination,  issue  the  changeable  results ; 

Each  class  verging  on  the  other  twain,  with  imperceptible  gradation ; 

And  every  individual  in  each  ha\ing  his  propriety  of  difference, 

So  that  the  meanest  of  creation  bringeth  in  a  tribute  of  the  beautiful. 


OF  BEAUTY,  157 

Yea,  from  the  worst  in  favour  shineth  out  a  fitness  of  design, 
The  patent  mark  of  beauty,  its  Maker's  name  imprest. 
For  the  great  Creator's  seal  is  set  to  all  his  works ; 
Its  qnarterings  are  Attributes  of  praise,  and  all  the  shield  is  beauty. 
So,  that  heraldic  blazon  is  Creation's  common  signet : 
And  the  universal  family  of  life  goeth  in  the  colours  of  its  Lord  ; 
But  each  one,  as  a  several  son,  shall  bear  those  arms  with  a  diflerence : 
Beauty,  various  in  phase,  and  similar  in  seeming  oppositions. 
The  coins  of  old  Rome  were  struck  with  a  diversity  for  each, 
Barely  two  be  found  alike  in  every  Cjesar's  image  : 
So,  note  thou  the  seals,  ranged  around  the  charters  of  the  Universe, 
The  linger  of  God  is  the  stamp  upon  them  all,  but  each  hath  its  separate 
variety. 

Beauty,  theme  of  innocence,  how  may  guilt  discourse  thee  ? 

Let  holy  angels  sing  thy  praise,  for  man  hath  marred  thy  visage. 

Still,  the  maimed  torso  of  a  Theseus  can  gladden  taste  with  its  proportions  ^ 

Though  sin  hath  shattered  evei7  limb,  how  comely  are  the  fragments ! 

And  music  leaveth  on  the  car  a  memory  of  sweet  sounds  ; 

And  broken  arches  charm  the  sight  with  hints  of  fair  completeness. 

So,  while  humbled  at  tlie  ruin,  be  thou  grateful  for  the  relics  ; 

Go  forth,  and  look  on  all  around  with  kind  uncaptious  eye  : 

Freely  let  us  wander  through  these  unfretjuented  ways, 

And  talk  of  glorious  beauty  filling  all  the  world. 

For  beatity  hideth  every  where,  that  Reason's  child  may  seek  her, 
And  having  found  the  gem  of  price,  may  sot  it  in  God's  crown. 
Beautv  nestieth  in  the  rosebud,  or  walketh  the  firmament  with  planets, 
She  is  heard  in  the  beetle's  evening  hymn,  and  shouteth  in  the  matins  of 

tiie  sun  ; 
The  ciieek  of  tlie  peach  is  glowing  willi  her  smile,  her  splendour  blazetli 

in  the  lightning, 
She  is  the  dryad  of  the  woods,  the  naiad  of  the  streams ; 
Iler  golden  hair  hath  tapestried  the  silkwonn's  silent  chamber, 
And  to  her  measured  liarmonies  the  wild  waves  beat  in  time : 
With  tinkling  feet  at  eventide  she  danceth  in  the  meadow, 
Or,  like  a  Titan,  lieth  stretched  athwart  the  ridgy  Alps ; 
She  is  rising  in  her  veil  of  mist  a  Venus  from  the  water?, — 
Men  gaze  upon  the  loveliness, — and  lo,  it  is  beautiful  exceedingly ; 


133  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Slip,  with  the  might  of  a  Briarcus,  is  dragging  down  the  clouds  upon  the 

mountain, — 
Men  look  upon  the  grandeur, — and  lo,  it  is  excellent  in  glory. 
For  I  judge  that  beauty  and  suliliuiity  ho  biit  the  lesser  and  the  great, 
Sublime,  as  magniiied  to  giants,  and  b.iautiful,  diminished  into  fairies. 
Il  were  a  false  fancy  to  solve  all  beauty  b}'  desire, 
It  were  a  lowering  thought  to  expound  sublimity  by  dread. 
Cowardly  men  with  trembling  hearts  have  feared  the  furious  storm, 
Nor  felt  its  thrilling  beatity  :  but  is  it  then  not  beautifid  ? 
And  careless  men,  at  summer's  eve,  have  loved  the  dimpled  waves ; 
O  that  smile  upon  the  seas, — hath  it  no  sublimity  ? 
Dost  thou  nothing  know  of  this, — to  be  awed  at  woman's  beauty  ? 
Nor,  witii  exhilarated  heart,  to  hail  the  cr;Lshing  thunder  ? 
Thou  hast  much  to  learn,  that  never  found  a  fearfulness  in  flowers, 
Thou  lixst  missed  of  joy,  that  never  basked  in  beauties  of  the  terrible. 

Show  mc  an  enthusiast  in  aught ;  he  hath  noted  one  thing  narrowly ; 

And  lo,  his  keenness  hath  detected  the  one  dear  hiding-place  of  beauty. 

Then  he  boasteth,  simple  soul,  flattered  by  discovery, 

Fancying  tliat  no  science  else  can  show  so  fair  and  precious  : 

He  hath  found  a  ray  of  light,  and  chorisheth  the  treasure  in  his  closet, 

Mocking  at  those  larger  minds,  that  bathe  in  flooods  of  noon ; 

Lo,  what  a  jewel  hath  he  gotten, — this  is  the  monopohst  of  beauty, — 

And  lightly  heeding  all  l)cside,  he  poured  his  yearnings  thitherward  : 

Be  it  for  love,  or  for  learning,  habit,  art,  or  nature. 

Exclusive  thought  is  all  the  cause  of  this  particular  zeal. 

But  the  like  intensity  of  fitness,  kind  and  skilful  beauty, 

So  pleasant  to  his  mind  in  one  thmg,  fiUeth  all  beside  : 

From  the  waking  minute  of  a  chrysalis  to  the  perfect  cycle  of  chronology, 

From  the  centipede's  jointed  armour  to  the  mammoth's  fossil  rib.^. 

From  the  kingtlsher's  shrill  note  to  the  cataract's  thundering  bass. 

From  the  greensward's  grateful  hues  to  the  fascinating  eye  of  woman. 

Beauty,  various  in  all  things,  setteth  up  her  home  in  each, 

Shedding  graciously  around  an  omnipresent  smile. 

There  is  beauty  in  the  rolling  clouds,  and  placid  shingle  beach, 
In  feathery  snows,  and  whistling  winds,  and  dun  electric  skies; 
There  is  beauty  in  the  rounded  woods,  dank  with  heavy  foliage, 
Ju  laughing  fields,  and  dinted  hills,  the  valley  and  its  lake ; 


or  BEAUTY.  159 

There  is  t^avity  in  the  gtiUies,  beauty  on  the  cliffs,  beauty  in  sun  and 

Bhado, 
In  rocks  and  rivers,  seas  and  plains, — the  earth  is  drowned  in  beauty. 

Beauty  coileth  witii  the  water-snake,  and  is  cradled  in  the  shrewmouse's 

nest, 
She  fiiLteth  out  with  evening  bats,  and  the  soft  mole  liid  her  in  liis  tunnel ; 
The  limpet  is  enc3.mped  upon  the  shore,  and  beauty  not  a  stranger  to  his 

tent ; 
The  silvery  dace  and  golden  carp  thread  the  rushes  with  her : 
She  saileth  into  clouds  with  an  eagle,  she  fluttereth  into  tulips  with  a 

humming-bird  ; 
The  pasturing  kine  are  of  her  companv,  and  she  prowleth  with  tlio  leopard 

in  his  jungle. 

Moreover,  for  the  reasonable  world,  its  words,  and  acts,  and  speculation, 

For  frail  and  f;d!en  manhood,  in  every  v/ork  and  way, 

Beautj',  wrecked  and  stricken,  lingereth  still  among  us, 

And  morsels  of  that  shattered  sr.n  are  dropt  upon  the  darkness. 

Yen,  u'ith  savages  and  boors,  the  mean,  the  cruel,  and  besotted, 

Ever  in  extenuating  grace  hide  some  relics  of  the  beautiful. 

Gleams  of  kindness,  deeds  of  courage,  patience,  justice,  generosity, 

Trutli  welcomed,  knov/iedge  prized,  rebukes  tal;en  with  contrition, 

All  in  various  measure,  have  been  blest  with  some  of  tliese, 

And  never  yet  hadi  lived  the  man  utterly  beggared  of  the  beautiful. 

Beauty,  is  as  crystal  in  the  torchlight,  sparkling  on  the  poet's  page ; 

Virgin  honey  of  Hymettus,  distilled  from  the  lips  of  the  orator ; 

A  s,uvour  of  sweet  spikenard,  anointing  tiie  hands  of  liberality  ; 

A  feast  of  angels'  food  set  upon  tlie  tables  of  religion. 

She  is  seen  in  the  tear  of  sorrow,  and  heard  in  the  exuberance  of  mirth  ; 

She  goeth  out  early  with  the  huntsman,  and  watchetli  at  the  pillow  of 

disease. 
Science,  in  his  secret  laws,  hatii  found  out  latent  beauty, 
Sphere  and  square,  and  cone  and  curve,  are  fashioned  by  her  rules : 
Mechanism  met  Iier  in  his  forces,  fancy  caught  her  in  its  flittings, 
Day  is  lightened  by  her  eyes,  and  her  eyelids  close  upon  tlie  night. 

Beauty  is  dependence  in  the  babe,  a  toothless  tender  nursling ; 


160  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Beauty  is  boldness  in  the  boy,  a  curly  rosy  truant ; 
Beauty  is  modesty  and  grace  in  fair  rctirin<j  girliiood, 
Beauty  is  openness  and  strength  in  pure  higli-minded  youtii ; 
Man,  tlie  noble  and  intcUigcnt,  gladdL'ucth  earth  in  beauty, 
And  woman's  beauty  sunneth  him,  as  with  a  smile  from  heaven. 

There  is  none  enchantment  against  beauty,  Magician  for  all  time, 

Whose  potent  spells  of  sympathy  have  charmed  the  passive  world : 

Verily,  she  reigneth  a  Semiramis ;  there  is  no  might  against  her ; 

The  lords  of  every  land  are  harnessed  to  her  triumph. 

Beauty  is  conqueror  of  all,  nor  ever  yet  was  found  among  the  nations 

That  iron-monlded  mind,  full  proof  against  her  power. 

Beauty,  like  a  summer's  day,  subdueth  by  sweet  influences  ; 

WJio  am  wrestle  against  Sleep  ? — yet  is  that  giant  very  gentleness. 

Ajax  may  rout  a  phalanx,  but  beauty  shall  enslave  him  single-handed  : 

Pericles  ruled  Athens,  yet  is  he  the  servant  of  Aspasia : 

Light  were  the  labour,  and  often-told  the  tale,  to  count  the  victories  of 

beauty, — 
Helen,  and  Judith,  and  Ompliale,  and  Thais,  numy  a  trophied  name, 
At  a  glance  the  misanthrope  was  softened,  and  repented  of  his  vows  : 
When  beauty  asked,  he  gave,  and  banned  her — with  a  blessing ; 
The  cold  ascetic  loved  the  smile  that  lit  his  dismal  cell. 
And  kindly  stayed  her  step,  and  wept  when  she  departed  ; 
The  bigot  abbess  felt  her  heart  gush  with  a  mother's  feeling. 
When  looking  on  some  lovely  face  beneath  the  cloister's  shade ; 
Usury  freed  her  without  ransom :  the  buccaneer  was  gentle  in  her  presence : 
Madness  kissed  her  on  the  cheeek.  and  Idiocy  brightened  at  her  coming : 
Yea,  the  very  cattle  in  the  field,  and  hungry  prowlers  of  the  forest, 
With  tawning  homage  greeted  her,  as  beauty  glided  by. 
A  welcome  guest,  unbidden,  she  is  dear  to  every  hearth ; 
A  glad  spontaneous  growth  of  friends  are  springing  round  her  rest : 
Learning  sittcth  at  her  feet,  and  Idleness  laboureth  to  please  her ; 
Folly  hath  flung  aside  his  bells,  and  leaden  Dullness  gloweth ; 
Prudence  is  rash  in  her  defence ;  Frugality  fiUeth  her  with  riches ; 
Despair  came  to  her  for  counsel ;  and  Bereavement  Vx-as  glad  when  she 

consoled ; 
Justice  puttet?!  up  his  sword  at  the  tear  of  supplicating  beauty, 
And  Mercy,  with  indulgent  haste,  hath  pardoned  beauty's  sin. 


OF  BEAUTY.  161 

For  beauty  is  the  substitute  for  al!  tilings,  satisfying  every  absence, 

The  rich  dehriuus  cup,  to  make  all  else  forgotten  ; 

She  also  is  the  zest  unto  all  things,  enhancing  every  presence, 

The  rare  and  precious  ambergris,  to  quicken  each  perfume. 

O  beauty,  thou  art  eloquent ;  yea,  though  slow  of  tongue, 

Tiiy  breast,  fair  Phryne,  pleaded  well  before  the  dazzled  judge ; 

O  beauty,  thou  art  wise ;  yea,  though  teaching  falsely, 

Sages  listen,  sweet  Corinna,  to  commend  thy  lips ;  (*) 

(.)  beauty,  thou  art  ruler ;  yea,  though  lowly  as  a  slave, 

Myrrha,  that  imperial  brow  is  naonarcli  of  thy  lord  ; 

O  beiiuty,  tlvra  art  winner ;  yea,  though  halting  in  the  race, 

ITippodame,  Camilla,  Atalanta. — in  gracefulness  ye  fascinate  your  umpires ; 

O  beauty,  thou  art  rich ;  j'ea,  though  clad  in  russet, 

Attalus  cannot  boast  his  gold  against  the  wealth  of  beauty  ; 

O  bcatity.  thou  art  noble  ;  yea,  though  Esther  be  an  exile, 

Set  her  up  on  high,  ye  kings,  and  bow  before  the  majesty  of  beauty ! 

Friend  and  scholar,  who,  in  charity,  hast  v.-alkod  with  me  thus  far, 
We  have  wandered  in  a  wilderness  of  sweets,  tniclcing  beauty's  foot- 
steps : 
And  ever  as  we  rarnbled  on  among  the  tangled  thicket, 
Many  a  startled  thought  hath  tempted  further  roaming  ; 
Passion,  sympathetic  influ.ence,  might  of  imaginary  halos, — 
Many  the  like  would  lure  aside,  to  hunt  their  wayward  tiiemes. 
And,  look  you  ! — from  his  ferny  bed  in  yonder  hazel  coppice, 
A  dappled  hart  hat'i  flung  aside  the  boughs  and  broke  away ; 
He  is  fleet  and  capricious  as  the  zephyr,  and  with  exulting  bounds 
Hieth  down  a  turfy  lane  between  the  sounding  woods ; 
His  neck  is  garlanded  with  flowers,  his  antiers  hung  wiHi  chaplets, 
And  rainbow-coloured  ribbons  stroan;  adown  his  mottled  flanks  : 
Should  we  follow  ? — foolish  hunters  thus  to  chase  afoot, — 
Who  can  track  the  airy  speed  and  doubling  wiles  of  Taste  ? 

For  the  estimates  of  human  beauty,  dependent  upon  time  and  clime, 
ilanifold  and  changeable,  are  multiplied  the  more  by  strange  gregarious 

fa.shiou : 
And  notable  ensamples  in  the  great  turn  to  epidemics  in  tlie  lower, 
So  that  a  nation's  taste  shall  vary  with  its  rulers. 
Stem  Egypt,  humbled  to  tlie  Greek,  lancied  softer  idols  ; 


162  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Greece,  the  Roman  provinco,  nigh  forgrat  her  classic  sculpture  ; 

Rome,  crushed  boneatli  tlio  Goth,  loved  Iiis  birjarian  habits  ; 

And  Aliric,  with  his  ruffian  horde,  is  tamed  by  silken  Rome. 

Columbia's  flattened  head,  and  China's  crumpled  feet. — 

The  civi'.iz3d  tiipering  \vai.st, — and  the  pendulous  ears  of  the  savage, — 

The  swollen  throat  among  the  mountains,  and  an  ebon  skin  beneath  the 

tropics, — 
These  shall  all  be  reckoned  beauty  ;  and  for  wciglity  cause : 
First,  for  the  latter ;  Provid  jnire  in  mercy  tempereth  taste  by  circumstance, 
So  that  Nature's  must  shall  hit  her  creature's  liking ; 
Second,  for  the  middle ;  tlioiigh  the  foolishness  of  vanity  seek  to  mar 

proportion, 
Still,  defects  in  those  we  love  shall  soon  be  counted  praise  ; 
Third,  for  the  first ;  a  chief  and  a  princess,  maimed  or  distorted  from  the 

cradle. 
Shall  coax  the  flattery  of  slaves  to  imitate  the  gi'eat  in  their  deformity ; 
Hence  groweth  habit ;  and  habits  make  a  taste, 
And  so  shall  servile  zeal  deface  the  types  of  beauty. 
Whiles  Alexander  conquered,  crookedness  was  comely ; 
And  followers  learn  to  praise  the  scars  upon  their  leader's  brow. 
Youth  hatli  sought  to  flatter  Age  by  mimicking  gray  hairs ; 
Age  plastereth  her  wrinkles,  and  is  painted  in  the  ruddiness  of  Youtli. 
Fasliion,  the  parasite  of  Rank,  apeth  faults  and  failings. 
Until  the  general  Taste  depraved  hath  warped  its  sense  of  beauty. 

Each  man  hatli  a  measure  for  himself,  yet  all  shall  coincide  in  much ; 

A  perfect  form  of  human  grace  would  captivate  the  world  ; 

Be  it  manhood's  lustre,  or  the  loveliness  of  woman,  all  would  own  its 

beauty. 
The  Caffre  and  Circassian,  Russians  and  Hindoos,  the  Briton,  the  Turk 

and  Japanese. 
Not  all  alike,  nor  all  at  once,  but  each  in  proportion  to  intelligence, 
His  purer  .state  in  morals,  and  a  lesser  grade  in  guilt : 
For  the  high  standard  of  the  beautiful  is  fixed  in  Reason's  forum. 
And  sins,  and  customs,  and  caprice,  have  failed  to  break  it  down : 
And  reason's  standard  for  the  creature  pointeth  three  perfections. 
Frame,  Imowledge,  and  the  feeling  heart,  well  and  kindly  mingled  : 
A  fair  dwelling,  furnished  wisely,  with  a  gentle  tenant  in  it, — 
This  is  the  glory  of  humanity :  thou  hast  seen  it  seldom. 


or  BEAUTY.  1C3 

There  is  a  beauty  of  the  body ;  the  superficial  poUsh  of  a  statue, 

The  symmetry  of  form  and  feature,  delicately  carved  and  painted. 

How  Lright  in  early  bloom  the  Georgian  sittelh  at  lier  lattice, 

How  softened  off  in  graceful  curves  her  young  and  gentle  shape : 

Those  dark  eyes,  lit  by  curiosity,  flash  beneath  the  lushes, 

And  still  her  velvet  cheek  is  dimpled  with  a  smile. 

Dost  thou  count  her  beautiful  ? — even  as  a  mere  fair  figure, 

A  plastic  image,  little  more, — tiie  outer  garb  of  woman  : 

Yea, — and  thus  far  it  is  well ;  but  Reason's  hopes  are  higher, — 

Can  ho  sate  his  soul  on  a  scantling  third  of  beauty  ? 

Yet  is.tliis  the  pleasing  trickei-y,  tliat  cheateth  half  the  v/orld. 
Nature's  wise  deceit,  to  make  up  waste  in  life  : 
And  few  be  they  that  rest  uncaught,  for  many  a  twig  is  limed ; 
Where  is  the  wise  among  a  million,  that  took  not  form  for  beauty  .' 
But  watch  it  well ;  for  vanity  and  sin,  malice,  hate,  suspicion. 
Lowering  as  clouds  upon  the  countenance,  will  disenchant  its  charms. 
The  needful  complexity  of  beauty  claimeth  mind  and  soul. 
Though  many  coins  of  foul  alloy  pass  current  for  the  true  : 
And  albeit  fairness  in  the  creature  shall  often  co-exist  with  excellence, 
Yet  hath  many  an  angel  shape  been  tenanted  by  fiends. 
A  man,  spiritually  keen,  shall  detect  in  suiface  beauty 
Those  marring  specks  of  evil,  which  the  sensual  cannot  sec  ; 
Therefore  is  he  proof  against  a  face,  unlovely  to  his  likings, 
And  common   minds   shall  scorn  the  taste,  that  slirunk  from  sin's  dis- 
torliun. 

There  is  a  beauty  of  the  reason  :  grandly  independent  of  externals, 

It  looketh  from  tlie  windows  of  the  house,  shining  in  the  man  triumphant. 

I  have  scon  the  broad  blank  face  of  some  misshapen  dwarf 

I;it  on  ii  sudden  as  with  glory,  the  brilliant  light  of  mind : 

W'^ho  then  imagined  him  deformed  ?  intelligence  is  blazing  on  his  forehead, 

There  is  empire  in  his  eye,  and  sweetness  on  his  lip.  and  his  brown  cheek 

glittcreth  with  beauty  : 
And  I  have  known  some  Nirous  of  the  camj>,  a  varnis:ied  paragon  of 

chambcrers,  C) 
Fine,  elegant,  and  shapely,  moulded  as  tiic  master-piece  of  Phi.iias, — 
Such  an  one,  with  intellects  abased,  have  I  noted  croucliing  to  tlic  dwarf, 
Whilst  his  lovers  scorn  the  fool  whose  beauty  liath  departed  ! 


164  "PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

And  there  is  a  beniity  for  ihe  spirit. ;  mind  in  it.s  perfect  flowering, 

Fragrant,  expanded  into  sou!,  full  of  love  and  blessed. 

Go  to  some  sqiiulid  couch,  some  famisiiing  death-bed  of  the  poor; 

He  is  shrunken,  cadaverous,  diseased  ; — there  is  here  no  beauty  of  the  body. 

Never  hath  he  fed  on  knowledg-e,  nor  drank  at  the  streams  of  science, 

He  is  of  the  common  lierd,  illiterate : — lliere  is  here  no  beauty  of  the 

reason. 
But  lo !  his  filming  eye  is  bright  v/ith  love  from  heaven, 
In  every  look  it  beameth  praise,  as  worshipping  with  seraphs ; 
What  honeycomb  is  hived  upon  his  lips,  eloquent  of  gratitude  and  prayer, — 
What  triumph  shrined  serene  upon  that  clammy  brow. 
What  glory  llickering  transparent  under  those  thin  cheeks, — 
What  beauty  in  his  face  ! — Is  it  not  the  face  of  an  angel  ? 

Now,  of  those  three,  infinitely  mingled  and  combined, 

Consistfth  human  beauty,  in  all  the  marvels  of  its  mightiness : 

And  forth  from  human  beavity  springeth  the  intensity  of  Love  ; 

Feeling,  thought,  de;-ire,  the  three  deep  fountains  of  affection. 

Son  of  Adam,  or  daughter  of  Eve,  art  thou  trapped  by  nature. 

And  is  thy  young  eye  dazzled  with  the  pleasant  form  of  beauty  ? 

This  is  but  a  lower  love  :  still  it  hath  its  honour ; 

What  God  hath  made  and  meant  to  charm,  let  not  man  depise. 

Nevertheless,  as  rea^-on's  child,  look  thou  wisely  fiirther. 

For  age,  disease,  and  care,  and  sin,  shall  tarnish  all  the  surface ; 

Reach  a  loftier  love  ;  be  lured  by  the  comeliness  of  mind, — 

Gentle,  kind,  and  calm,  or  lustrous  in  the  livery  of  knowledge. 

And  more,  there  is  a  higher  grade  ;  force  the  mind  to  its  perfection, — 

Win  those  golden  trophies  of  consmnmats  love  : 

Add  unto  riches  of  the  reason,  and  a  beauty  moulded  to  thy  liking, 

The  precious  things  of  nobler  gaace  that  well  adorn  a  soul ; 

Thus,  be  thou  owner  of  a  treasure,  great  in  earth  and  heaven, 

Beauty,  wisdom,  goodness, — in  a  creature  like  its  God. 

So  then,  draw  we  to  an  end ;  with  feeble  step  and  faltering. 

I  follow  beauty  through  the  universe,  and  fii^d  her  home  Ubiquity : 

In  all  that  GoJ  hath  made,  in  all  that  man  hath  marred, 

Lingereth  beauty  or  its  wreck,  a  broken  mould  and  castings. 

And  now,  having  wandered  long  time,  freely  and  with  desultory  feet, 

To  gather  in  the  garden  of  the  world  a  few  fair  sample  flowers, 


,      >      OF  BEAUTY.  165 

With  patient  scrutinizing  care  let  us  cull  the  conclusion  of  their  essence, 
And  answer  to  the  riddle  of  Zorobabel,  Whence  the  might  of  beauty.  (') 

Ugliness  is  native  unto  nothing,  but  poissible  abstract  evil : 

In  every  thing  created,  at  its  worst,  lurk  the  drege  of  loveliness. 

We  be  fallen  into  utter  depths,  yet  once  we  stood  sul^lime, 

For  man  was  made  in  perfect  praise,  his  Maker's  comely  image : 

And  so  his  new-born  ill  is  spiced  with  older  good, 

He  carrieth  w^ith  him,  yea,  to  crime,  tlie  withered  limbs  of  beauty. 

Passions  may  be  crooked  generosities  ;  the  robber  stealeth  for  his  children ; 

Murder  was  avenger  of  the  innocent,  or  wiped  out  shame  witli  blood. 

Many  virtues,  weighted  by  excess,  sink  among  the  vices  ; 

Many  vices,  amicably  buoyed,  float  among  the  virtues. 

For,  albeit  sin  is  hate,  a  foul  and  bitter  turpitude. 

As  hurling  back  against  the  Giver  all  his  gifts  with  insult ; 

Still,  when  concrete  in  the  dinner  it  will  seem  to  partake  of  his  attractions, 

And  in  seductive  masquerade  shall  cloak  its  leprous  skin ; 

Ilis  broken  lights  of  beauty  shall  illume  its  utter  black, 

And  those  refracted  rays  glitter  on  tlie  hunch  of  its  deformity. 

Verily  the  fancy  may  be  false,  yet  hath  it  met  me  in  my  musings, 

(As  expounding  the  pleasantness  of  pleasure,  bat  no  v.'ays  extenuating 

license,) 
That  even  tliose  yearnings  after  beauty,  in  wayward  wanton  youth, 
W^hen  guileless  of  ulterior  end,  it  craveth  but  to  look  upon  the  lovely, 
Seem  like  struggles  of  the  soul,  dimly^ remembering  pre-existcnce, 
And  feeling  in  its  blindness  for  a  long-lost  god,  to  satisfy  its  longing ; 
As  if  the  sucking  babe,  tenderly  mindful  of  Ins  mother, 
Should  pull  a  dragon's  dugs,  and  drain  tlie  teats  of  poison. 
Our  primal  source  was  beauty,  and  we  pant  for  it  ever  and  again ; 
But  sin  hath  stopped  the  way  with  thorns :  we  turn  aside,  wander,  and 

are  lost. 

God,  the  undiluted  good,  is  root  and  stock  of  beauty, 

And  every  child  of  reason  drew  his  essence  from  that  stem. 

Therefore,  it,  is  of  intuition,  an  innate  hankering  for  home, 

A  sweet  returning  to  the  well,  from  which  our  spirit  flowed, 

That  we,  unconscious  of  a  cause,  should  bask  these  darkened  souls 

In  some  poor  reUcs  of  the  light  Uiat  blazed  in  primal  beauty. 


I6G  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOfHY. 

And,  even  like  as  exiles  of  idolatry,  should  quaff  from  the  cisterns  of 

creation 
Stagnant  draughts,  for  those  fresh  spring;s  that  rise  in  the  Creator, 

Only,  being  burthencd  with  tlic  body,  spiritual  appetite  is  warped, 
And  sensual  man,  with  taste  corrupted,  drinketh  of  pollutions : 
Impulse  is  left,  but  indiscriminate ;  his  hunger  feasteth  upon  carrion  ; 
His  natural  love  of  beauty  dototh  over  beauty  in  decoy. 
He  still  thirsteth  for  the  beautiful ;  hnt  his  delicate;  ideal  hath  grown  gross, 
And  the  very  sense  of  thirst  hath  been  fevered  from  affjction  into  passion. 
He  romembcrcth  the  blessedness  of  light,  but  it  is  with  an  old  man'a 

memory, 
A  blind  old  man  from  infancy,  that  once  hath  seen  the  sun. 
Whom  long  experience  of  night  hath  darkened  in  his  cradle  recollections, 
Until  his  brightest  thought  of  noon  is  but  a  shade  of  black. 

This  then  is  thy  charm,  O  beauty,  all  pervading  ; 

And  this  thy  wondrous  strength,  O  beauty,  cunqneror  of  all : 

The  outline  of  our  shadowy  best,  the  pure  and  comely  creature, 

That  winneth  on  the  conscience  with  a  saddening  admiration  : 

An:!  some  untutored  thirst  for  God,  tlie  root  of  every  pleasure, 

Native  to  creatures,   yea  in  ruin,  and  dating  from  the   birthday  of  the 

soul. 
For  God  sealeth  up  the  sum,  confirmed  exemplar  of  proportions, 
Rich  in  love,  full  of  wisdom,  and  perfect  in  the  plentitude  of  Beauty.  (•) 


OF    FAME. 

Bloav  the  trumpet,  spread  the  wing,  fling  thy  scroll  upon  the  sky. 

Rouse  the  slumbering  world,  O  Fame,  and  fill  the  sphere  with  echo : 

— Beneath  thy  blast  they  wake,  and   murmurs  come  hoarsely  on  tlie 

wind,  , 

And  flasliing  eyes  and  bristling  hands  proclaim  they  hoar  thy  message : 
Rolling  and  surging  as  a  sea,  tliat  upturned  flood  of  faces 
Hasteneth  with  its  inillion  tongues  to  spread  the  wondrous  tale ; 


OF  FAME.  167 

The  hum  of  added  voices  growcth  to  tho  ron.ring  of  a  cntaract, 
And  rapidly  from  wave  to  wave  is  tossed  that  cxagg-erated  stor}', 
Until  those  stunning  clamours,  gradually  diluted  in  the  distance, 
Sink  ashamed,  and  shrink  afraid  of  noise,  and  die  away. 
Then  brooding  Silence,  forth  from  his  hollow  caverns, 
Cloaked  and  cowled,  and  gliding  along,  a  cold  and  stealthy  shadow, 
Once  more  is  mingled  with  the  multitude,  whispering  as  he  walkcth. 
And  hushing  all  their  eager  ears  to  hear  some  newer  Fame. 

So  all  is  still  again  ;  but  nothing  of  the  past  hath  been  forgotten  ; 
A  stirring  recollection  of  the  trumpet  ringeth  in  the  hearts  of  men : 
And  each  one,  citb.er  envious  or  admiring,  hath  wished  the  chance  were 

his 
To  fill,  as  thus,  the  startled  world  with  fame,  or  fear,  or  wonder. 
This  lit  thy  torch  of  sacrilege,  Ephesian  Eratostratus ;  ('"; 
This  dug  thy  living  grave,  Pythagoras,  the  traveller  from  Hades ; 
For  this,  dived  Empedocles  into  ^Etna's  iiery  whirlpool ; 
For  this   conquerors,   regicides,   and  rebels,  have  dared  tlieir  perilous 

crimes. 
In  all  men,  from'the  monarch  to  the  menial,  InrkoUi  last  of  fame  ; 
Tiie  savnge  and  the  sage  alike  regard  their  labours  proudly: 
Yea,  in  death,  the  glazing  eye  is  illumined  by  tl)e  hope  of  reputation, 
And  tlie  stricken  v\-arrior  is  glad,  that  his  wounds  arc  salved  with  glory. 

For  fame  is  a  sweet  self-homage,  an  offering  grateful  to  the  idol, 

A  spiritual  nectar  for  the  spiritual  thirst,  a  mental  food  for  mind, 

A  pregnant  evidence  to  all  of  an  after  immaterial  existence, 

A  proof  that  soul  is  scatheless,  when  its  dwelling  is  dissolved. 

And  the  manifold  pleasures  of  fame  are  sought  by  the  guilty  and  tho 

good  ; 
I'leasures,  various  in  kind,  and  spiced  to  every  palate; 
The  tlionghtful  loveth  fame  as  an  earnest  of  better  immortality, 
The  industrious  and  deserving,  as  a  symbol  of  just  appreciation, 
The  selfish,  as  a  promise  of  advancement,  at  least  to  a  man's  own  kin. 
And  common  minis  as  a  flattering  fact  that  men  have  been  told  of  their 

existence. 

There  is  a  blameless  love  of  fame,  s|)ringing  from  desire  of  justice, 
When  a  man  hath  fcatly  won  and  fairly  claimed  lus  honours : 


168  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

And  then  fame  cometh  as  enrourageincnt.  to  the  inward  conscio!isncss  of 

merit, 
Gladdening  by  the  kindlinee-s  and  tiiniik^-,  Vvherewithal  his  labnnrs  are  re 

warded. 
But  thnre  is  a  sordid  imitation,  a  feverish  thirst  for  notoriety, 
Waitin,^  upon  vanity  o.nd  sloth,  and  utterly  regardless  of  deserving : 
And  then  fame  cometh  as  a  curse ;  the  fire-damj)  is  gathered  in  tlic  mine : 
The  soul  is  swelled  witli  poisonou.-t  air,  and  a  spark  of  temptation  shall 

explode  it. 

Idle  causes,  noised  awhile,  shail  yield  most  active  consequents. 

And  therefore  it  were  ill  upon  occasion,  to  scorn  the  voice  of  rumour. 

Ye  have  seen  the  cliomist  in  his  art  mingle  invisible  gases  ; 

And  lo,  the  product  is  a  substance,  a  heavy  dark  precipitate ; 

Even  so  i\v.n?,  iuirlling  on  the  quiet  with  many  moetin^^"  tongu"3, 

Can  out  of  nntbing  bring  forth   fruits,  and   blossom  on   a  nourishment 

of  air. 
For  many  have  earned  honour,  and  thereby  rank  and  riches, 
From  false  c-nd  fleeting  tales,  some  casual  mere  mistake  ; 
And  many  have  been  wrecked  upon  disgrace,  and  have  struggled  with 

poverty  and  scorn. 
From  envious  hints  and  ill  reports,  the  slanders  cast  on  iimocence. 
Whom  may  not  scandal  hit  ?  those  shafts  are  shot  at  a  venture  : 
Who  standeth  not   in  danger  of  suspicion  ?    that  net   hath  cauglit  tho 

noldest. 
Ca-'sav's  v/ife  v>-as  spotless,  but  a  martyr  to  false  fame  ;  (") 
And  Rumour,  in  temporary  things,  is  gigantic  as  a  ruin  or  a  remedy : 
^lany  poor  and  many  rich  have  testified  its  popular  omnipotence. 
And   many  a  panic-stricken  army  hath  perished  with  the  host   of  the 

Assyrians. 

Nevertheless,  if  opportunity  be  nought,  let  a  man  bide  his  time ; 

So  the  matter  be  not  merchandise  nor  conquest,  fear  thou  less  for  cha- 
racter. 

If  a  liar  accuseth  thee  of  evil,  be  not  swift  to  answer ; 

Y(!a,  rather  give  him  license  for  a  while  ;  it  shall  help  thine  honour  after- 
ward : 

Never  yet  was  calumny  engenderetl,  but  good  men  speedily  discemed  it. 

And  innocence  hath  burst  from  its  injustice,  as  the  green  world  rolhng  out 
of  Chaos. 


OF  FAME.  169 

\Vliat,  though  still  the  wicked  scoff,  this  also  tiirneth  to  liis  praise  ; 

Did  ye  never  hear  that  censure  of  the  bad  is  buttre.«s  to  a  good  man'a 

glory  ? 
What,  if  tlie  ignorant  still  hold  out,  obstinate  in  unkind  judgment, — 
Ignorance  and  calumny  are  paired ;  Ave  affirm  by  two  negations  ; 
Let  tlioni  stand  round  about,  pu.shing  at  the  column  in  a  circle, 
For  all  their  toil  and  wasted  strength,  the  foolish  do  but  prop  it. 
And  note  thou  this  ;  in  the  secret  of  their  hearts,  they  feel  the  taunt  ia 

false. 
And  cannot  help  but  reverence  the  courage  that  walketh  amid  calumnies 

unanswering : 
He  standeth  as  a  gallant  chief,  unheeding  shot  or  shell ; 
He  trusted  in  God  his  Judge ;  neither  arrows  nor  tlie  pestilence  shall 

harm  him. 

A  high  heart  is  a  sacrifice  to  heaven  ;  should  it  stoop  among  the  creepere 
in  tlio  dust. 

To  t'^'ll  them  that  what  God  approved  is  worthy  of  their  praise ! 

Never  shall  it  heed  the  thought :  but  flaming  on  in  triumph  to  the  sides, 

And  quite  forgetting  fame,  shall  find  it  added  as  a  trophy. 

A  great  mind  is  an  altar  on  a  hill ;  should  the  priest  descend  from  his  alti- 
tude 

To  canvass  offerings  and  vrorship  from  dwellers  on  the  plain  ? 

Rather  with  majestic  perseverance,  will  he  minister  in  solitary  grandeur, 

Confident  the  time  will  come  when  pilgrims  shall  he  flocking  to  the  shrine. 

For  fame  is  the  birthright  of  genius  ;  and  he  recketh  not  how  long  it  he 
delayed  : 

Tlie  heir  need  not  hasten  to  his  herit;ige.  when  he  kuoweth  that  his  tenure 
is  eternal. 

The  careless  poet  of  Avon,  was  he  troubled  for  his  fame  ? 

Or  the  deep-inouthed  chronicler  of  Paradise,  heeded  lie  the  suffrage  of  his 
equals  ? 

.Maeonides  took  no  thought,  commiting  all  his  honours  to  the  future, 

And  Flaccus,  standing  on  his  watch-tower,  spied  the  prai.se  of  ages. 

Smoking  flax  will  breed  a  flame,  and  the  flame  may  illuminate  a  world ; 
V\'Tiere  is  he  who  scorned  that  smoke  as  foul  and  murky  vapour  ? 
The  \-illage  stream  sv/elled  to  a   river,  and  the  river  was  a  kino^doi    * 
wealth ; 

8 


170  PROVERBIAL  rillLOSOPIIY. 

Where  is  he  wlio  boasted  lie  coiikl  step  across  that  stream  ? 

Such  are  the  boghinings  of  the  famous :  Httle  in  the  judgment  of  their 

peers, 
The  juster  verdict  of  posterity  sliuU  fix  them  in  the  orbits  of  the  Great. 
Therefore  dull  Zoilus,  clamouring  ascendant  of  the  hour, 
Will  soon  be  fain  to  hide  his  hate,  and  bury  up  his  bitterness  for  shame : 
Therefore  mocking  Monus,  offended  at  the  steps  of  Beauty,  ('^) 
Shall  win  the  prize  of  his  presumption,  and  be  hooted  from  his  throne 

among  the  stars. 
For,  as  the  shadow  of  a  mountain  lengtheneth  before  the  setting  sun, 
Until  that  screeiiing  Alp  have  darkened  all  the  canton, — 
So  Fame  groweth  to  its  great  ones  ;  tlieir  images  loom  larger  in  departing  : 
But  the  shadow  of  mind  is  ligiit,  and  earth  is  filled  with  its  glory. 

And  thou,  student  of  the  truth,  commended  to  the  praise  of  God, 

Wouldst  thou  find  applause  with  men  ? — seek  it  not,  nor  shun  it. 

Ancient  fame  is  roofed  in  cedar,  ;ind  her  walls  are  marble : 

Modern  fame  lodgeth  in  a  hut,  a  slight  and  temporary  dwelling  ; 

La}'  not  up  the  treasures  of  thy  soul  within  so  damp  a  chamber, 

For  the  moth  of  detraction  f  hall  fret  thy  robe,  and  drop  its  eggs  upon  thy 

motive  ; 
Or  the  rust  of  dishoartcn.ng  reserve  shah  spoil  the  lustre  of  thy  gold, 
Until  its  burnished  beauty  shall  be  dim  as  tarnished  brass ; 
Or  thieves,  breaking  through  to  steal,  shall  claim  thy  jewelled  thoughts, 
And  turn  to  charge  the  the  ft  on  thee,  a  pifferer  from  them  ! 

There  is  a  magnanimity  in  recklessness  of  fame,  so  fame  be  well  deserv- 
ing. 
That  rusheth  on  in  fearless  might,  the  conscious  sense  of  merit ; 
And  there  is  a  littleness  in  jealousy  of  fame,  looking  as  aware  of  weak- 
ness, 
Tiiat  creepeth  cautiously  along,  afraid  that  its  title  will  be  challenged. 
The  wild  boar,  full  of  beech-mast,  flingeth  him  down  among  the  brambles  > 
Secure  in  bristly  strength,  without  a  watch  he  sleepeth  : 
But  the  hare,  afraid  to  feed,  croucheth  in  its  own  soft  form ; 
Wakefully  with  timid  eyes,  and  quivering  ears,  he  listeneth. 
Even  so,  a  giant's  might  is  bound  up  in  the  soul  of  Genius, 
His  neck  is  strong  with  coirfidence,  and  he  goeth  tusked  with  power : 
Sturdily  he  roameth  in  the  forest,  or  sunneth  him  in  fen  and  field, 


OF  FAME.  171 

And  scareth  from  his  marshy  lair  a  host  of  fearful  foes. 
But  there  is  a  mimic  talent,  whose  safety  lieth  in  its  quickness, 
A  timorous  thing  of  douhting  guile,  that  scarce  can  face  a  friend  : 
This  one  is  captious  of  reproof,  provident  to  snatch  occasion, 
Greedy  of  applause,  and  vexed  to  lose  one  tittle  of  the  glory. 
He  is  a  poor  warder  of  his  fame,  wlio  is  ever  on  the  watch  to  keep  it  spot- 
less ; 
Such  care  argueth  debility,  a  garrison  relying  on  its  sentinel. 
Passive  strength  shall  scorn  excuses,  patiently  waiting  a  reaction. 
He  wotteth  well  that  truth  is  great,  and  must  prevail  at  last : 
But  fretful  weakness  hastcth  to  explain,  anxiously  dreading  prejudice, 
And  ignorant  that  perishable  falsehood  dieth  as  a  branch  cat  off. 

Purity  of  motive   and  nobility  of  mind  shall  rarely  condescend 

To  prove  its  rights,  and  prate  of  wrongs,  or  evidence  its  worth  to  others ; 

And  it  shall  be  small  care  to  the  high  and  happy  conscience 

What  jealous  friends,  or  envious  foes,  or  common  fools  ma}-  judge. 

Should  the  lion  turn  and  rend  every  snarling  jackal. 

Or  an  eagle  be  stojiped  in  his  career  to  punish  the  petulance  of  sparrows  ? 

Should  the  palm-tree  bend  his  crown  to  chide  the  brier  at  his  feet, 

Nor  kindly  help  its  cliaibing,  if  it  hope,  and  be  ambitious  ? 

Should  the  nightingale  account  it  worth  her  ])ains  to  vindicate  her  music, 

Before  some  .sorry  tinches,  that  affect  to  judge  of  song  ? 

No :  many  an  injustice,  many  a  sneer,  and  slur, 

Is  passed  aside  with  noble  scorn  by  lovers  of  true  fame : 

For  well  they  wot  that  glory  shall  be  tinctured  good  or  evil, 

By  the  character  of  those  who  give  it,  as  wine  is  flavoured  by  the  wine-skin  : 

So  that  worthy  fame  floweth  only  from  a  worthy  fovnitain, 

But  from  an  ill-conditioned  troop,  the  best  report  is  worthless. 

And  if  the  sensibility  of  genius  count  his  injuries  in  secret. 

Wisely  will  he  hide  the  pains  a  hardened  herd  would  mock ; 

For  the  great  mind  well  may  bo  sad  to  note  such  littleness  in  brethren. 

The  wliile  he  is  comforted  and  happy  in  the  firmest  assurance  of  desert. 

Cease  awhile,  gentle  scholar ; — seek  other  thoughts  and  themes  ; 
Or  dazzling  fame  with  wildfire  light  will  lure  us  on  for  ever. 
For  look,  all  sul)jects  of  the  mind  may  range  beneath  its  banner, 
And  time  would  I'ail  and  patience  droop,  to  count  that  numerous  host. 
The  mine  is  deep,  and  brandling  wide, — and  who  can  work  it  out  ? 


172  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Years  of  t'longht  would  leave  untokl  the  boundless  topic,  Fame. 

Every  matter  in  the  universe  is  linked  in  suchwise  unto  others, 

That  a  deep  full  treatise  upon  one  thing  might  reach  to  the  history   of  all 

things : 
And  before  some  single  thesis  had  been  followed  out  in  all  its  branches, 
The  wandering  thinker  would  be  lost  in  the  pathless  forest  of  existence. 
What  were  the  matter  or  the  spirit,  that  hath  no  part  in  Fame  ? 
WJiero  were  the  fact  irrelevant,  or  the  fancy  out  of  place  ? 
For  the  handling  of  that  mighty  theme  should  stretch  from  past  to  future, 
Catching  np  the  present  on  its  way,  as  a  traveller  burdened  with  time. 
All  manner  of  men,  their  deeds,  hopes,  fortunes,  and  ambitions. 
All  manner  of  events  and  tilings,  climate,  circumstance,  and  custom, 
Wealth  and  war,  fear  and  hope,  contentment,  jealousy,  devotion. 
Skill  and  learning,  truth,  falsehood,  knowledge  of  things  gone  and  things 

to  come. 
Pride  and  praise,  honour  and  dishonour,  warnings,  eiisamples,  emulations, 
The  excellent  in  virtues,  and  the  reprobate  in  vice,  with  the  cloud  of  in- 

dilferent  spectators, — 
Wave  on  wave  with  flooding  force  throng  the  shoals  of  thought, 
Filling  that  immeasurable  theme,  the  height  and  depth  of  Fame. 
With   soul   unsatisfied   and  mind  dismayed,  my  feet   have   touched   the 

threshold. 
Fain  to  pour  these  flowers  and  fruits  an  offering  on  that  altar : 
Lo,  how  vast  the  temple, — there  are  clouds  within  the  dom.e  ! 
Yet  miffht  the  huo-e  exnanse  bo  filled  with  volumes  writ  on  Fame. 


OF   FLATTERY. 

Music  is  commended  of  the  deaf; — hut  is  that  praise  despised? 

I  trow  not :  v.ith  flattered  soul,  the  musician  heard  him  gladly. 

Beauty  is  commended  of  the  blind  ; — but  is  that  compliment  misliking  ? 

I  trow  not :  though  false  and  insincere,  woman  listened  greedily. 

Vacant  Folly  talketh  high  of  Learning's  deepest  reason ; 

Is  she  hated  for  her  hollowness  ? — learning  held  her  wiser  for  the  nonce. 

The  worldly  and  the  sensual,  to  gain  some  end,  did  homage  to  religion : 


OF  FLATTERY.  173 

And  tlic  good  man  gave  thanks  as  for  a  convert,  where  otliers  saw  the 
hypocrite. 

Yet  none  of  these  were  cheated  at  the  heart,  nor  steadily  believed  those 

flatteries ; 
Tiiey  feared  tlie  core  was  rotten,  while  they  hoped  tlio  pkin  was  sound  : 
But  the  fruits  have  so  sweet  fragrance,  and  are  verily  so  pleasant  to  the  e3'es, 
It  were  an  ungracious  disenchantment  to  faid  them  apjjles  cf  Sodom. 
So  they  laboured  to  think  all  honest,  winking  hard  with  both  their  eyes  ; 
And  hushed  up  every  whisper  that  could  prove  that  praise  absurd ; 
They  willingly  regard  not  the  infirmities  that  make  such  worship  vain, 
And  palliate  to  their  own  fond  hearts  tlie  faults  they  will  not  see. 
For  the  idol  rejoiceth  in  his  incense,  and  loveth  not  to  shame  his  suppliants, 
Should  he  seek  to  find  them  false,  his  honours  die  with  theirs  : 
An  offering  is  welcome  for  its  own  sake,  set  aside  the  giver. 
And  praise  is  precious  to  a  man,  though  uttered  by  the  parrot  or  the  mock- 
ing-bird. 

The  world  is  full  of  fools  ;  and  sycopliancy  livetli  on  tlie  foolish  : 

So  he  groweth  great  and  rich,  that  fawning  supple  parasite. 

Sometimes  he  boweth  like  a  reed,  cringing  to  the  pompousnesa  of  pride, 

Sometimes  he  strutteth  as  a  gallant,  pampering  the  fickleness  of  vanity : 

I  have  known  him  listen  with  the  humble,  enacting,  silent  marveller. 

To  liear  some  purse-proud  dunce  expound  his  po\erty  of  mind : 

I  have  heard  him  wrangle  with  the  obstinate,  vowing  that  he  will  nut  be 

convinced, 
When  some  weak  youth  hath  wisely  feared  the  chance  of  ill  success : 
Now,  ho  will  barely  bo  a  winner, — to  magnify  thy  triumphs  afterward ; 
Now,  he  will  liardly  be  a  loser, — but  cannot  cease  to  wonder  at  thy  skill : 
He  laiideth  his  own  worth,  that  tlio  leader  may  have  glory  in  his  follower; 
He  meekly  confesseth  his  unworthiness,  that  the  leader  may  have  glory  in 

himsell^ 
Many  wiles  hath  ho,  and  many  modes  of  catching. 
But  every  trap  is  selfishness,  and  every  bait  is  praise. 

Come,  I  would  forewarn  thee  and  forearm  thee  ;  for  keen  are  the  weapons 

of  his  warfare ; 
And,  while  my  soul  hath  scorned  him,  I  have  watclied  his  skill  from  far. 
His  thoughts  are  full  of  guile,  deceitfully  combining  contrarieties, 


174  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

And  wlion  lie  doetli  bnttlc  in  a  man,  he  is  leagued  wit.li  traitorous  Self-love ; 

Strange  things  have  I  noted,  and  oi)po'<ite  to  common  fancy ; 

We  leave  the  open  surface,  and  would  plumb  the  secret  depths. 

For  he  will  magnify  a  lover  even  to  disparaging  his  mistress ; 

So  much  wisdom,  goodness,  grace, — and  all  to  be  enslaved  ? 

Till  the  Narcissus,  self-enamoured,  whelmed  in  floods  of  flattery, 

Is  cheated  from  the  constancy  and  fervency  of  love  l)y  friendshi])'s  subtle 

praise. 
Moreover,  he  will  glorify  a  parent,  even  to  the  censure  of  his  child, — 
O  degenerate  scion,  of  a  stock  so  excellent  and  noble ! 
Scant  will  be  in  well-earned  praise  of  a  son  before  his  father ; 
And  rarely  commendeth  to  a  mother  her  daughter's  budding  beauty  : 
Yet  shall  he  extol  the  daughter  to  her  father,  and  Ix?  warm  about  the  son 

lie  fore  his  mother ; 
Knowing  that  self-love  entereth  not,  to  resist  applause  with  jealousies. 
Wisely  is  he  sparing  of  hyperbole  where  vehemence  of  praise  would 

humble. 
For  many  a  father  liketh  ill  to  be  counted  second  to  his  son  : 
And  shrewdly  the  flatterer  hath  reckoned  on  a  self  still  lurking  in  the 

mother, 
When  his  tongue  was  slow  to  speak  of  graces  in  the  daughter. 
But  if  he  descend  a  generation,  to  the  grandsire  his  talk  is  of  the  grandson, 
Because  in  such  high  praise  he  hideth  the  honours  of  the  son ; 
And  the  daughter  of  a  daughter  may  well  exceed,  in  beauty,  love,  and 

learning. 
For  unconsciously  old  age  perceived — she  cannot  be  my  rival. 
These  are  of  the  deep  things  of  flattery  :  and  many  a  shallow  sycophant 
Hath  marvelled  ill  that  ])raise  of  children  seldom  won  their  parents. 
This  therefore  note,  unto  detection  ;  flattery  can  sneer  as  well  as  smile ; 
And  a  master  in  the  craft  wotteth  well  that  his  oblique  thrust  is  surest. 

Flattery  sticketh  like  a  burr,  holding  to  the  soil  with  anchors, 
A  vital,  natural,  subtle  seed,  every  where  hardy  and  indigenous. 
Go  to  the  storehouse  of  thy  memory,  and  take  wliat  is  i-eadiest  to  thy  hand, — 
The  noble  deed,  the  clever  phrase,  for  which  thy  pride  was  flattered : 
Oh,  it  hath  been  dwelt  u[)on  in  solitude,  and  comforted  thy  heart  in  crowds, 
It  hath  made  thee  walk  as  in  a  dream,  and  lifted  the  head  above  thy  fellows ; 
It  hath  compensated  montlis  of  gloom,  that  minute  of  sweet  sunshine, 
Drying  up  the  pools  of  apathy,  and  kindling  the  fire  of  ambition: 


OF  FLATTERY.  175 

Yea,  the  flavour  of  that  spice,  mingled  in  tlie  cup  of  hfe, 
Shall  linger  even  to  the  dregs,  and  still  be  tasted  with  a  welcome  ; 
The  dame  shall  tell  her  grandchild  of  her  coy  and  courted  youth, 
And  the  graybeard  prateth  of  a  stranger,  thiit  praised  his  task  at  school. 

Ofttimes  to  the  sluggard  and  the  dull,  flattery  hath  done  good  service, 

Quickening  the  mind  to  emulation,  and  encouraging  the  heart  that  failed. 

Even  so,  a  stimulating  poison,  wisely  tendered  by  the  leech. 

Shall  speed  the  pulse,  and  rally  life,  and  clieat  astonished  death. 

For,  as  a  timid  swimmer  ventureth  afloat  with  bladders. 

Until  self-confidence  and  growth  of  skill  have  made  him  spurn  their  aid, 

Thus  commendation  may  be  prudent,  where  a  child  hath  ill  deserved  it ; 

But  praise  unmerited  is  flattery,  and  the  cure  will  bring  its  cares  : 

For  thy  son  may  find  thee  out,  and  thou  shalt  rue  the  remedy  : 

Yea  rather,  where  thou  canst  not  [)raise,  bo  honest  in  rebuke. 

I  have  seen  the  objects  of  a  flatterer  mirrored  clearly  on  tlie  surface, 

Where  self-love  scattereth  praise  to  gather  praise  again. 

This  is  a  commodity  of  merchandise,  words  put  out  at  interest ; 

A  scheme  for  canvassing  opinions,  and  tinging  them  all  with  partiality. 

He  is  but  a  harmless  fool ;  humour  him  with  pitiful  good-nature : 

If  a  poetaster  quote  thy  song,  be  thou  tender  to  his  poem : 

Did  the  painter  praise  thy  sketch  ?  be  kind,  commend  his  picture. 

He  looketh  for  a  like  return ;  then  thank  him  with  thy  praise. 

In  these  small  things,  with  these  small  minds,  count  thou  the  sycophant 

a  courtier. 
And  pay  back,  as  blindly  as  ye  may,  the  too  transparent  honour. 

Also,  where  the  flattery  is  delicate,  coming  unobtrusive  and  in  season. 

Though  thou  be  susjiicious  of  its  truth,  bo  generous  at  least  to  its  gentility. 

The  skilful  thief  of  Laceda^mon  had  praise  before  his  judges, 

As  many  caitiffs  win  applause  for  genius  in  their  calling. 

Moreover,  his  meaning  may  bo  kind, — and  thou  art  a  debtor  to  his  tongue ; 

Hasten  well  to  pay  the  debt,  with  charity  and  shrewdness  : 

He  must  not  think  thee  caught,  nor  feel  himself  discovered, 

Nor  find  thine  answering  compliment  as  hollow  as  his  own. 

Though  ho  bo  a  smiling  enemy,  let  him  heed  thee  as  the  fearless  and  the 

friendly ; 
A  searching  look,  a  poignant  word,  may  prove  thou  art  aware : 


176  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Still,  with  compassion  to  the  frail,  though  keen  to  sec  his  soul, 
Let  him  not  fear  for  thy  discretion:  see  thou  keep  his  secret,  and  thino 
own. 

However,  where  tlie  flattery  i^  gross,  a  falsehood  dear  and  fulsome, 

Crush  the  venomous  toad,  and  spare  not  for  a  jewel  in  his  head. 

Tell  the  presumptuous  in  flattery,  that  or  over  lie  hespatter  thee  with  praise, 

It  might  be  well  to  stop  and  ask  hovy  httle  it  were  worth : 

Thou  hast  not  solicited  his  suflVage, — let  him  not  force  thee  to  refuse  it ; 

Look  to  it,  man,  thy  fence  is  foiled, — and  thus  we  spoil  the  i)lot. 

Self-knowledge  goeth  armed,  girt  with  many  waapons, 

But  carrieth  whip  for  flattery,  to  lash  it  hke  a  slave  : 

But  the  dunce  in  that  great  science  goeth  as  a  greedy  tunny. 

To  gorge  both  bait  and  hook,  unheeding  all  but  appetite : 

He  smelleth  praise  and  swalloweth, — yea,  though  it  be  i)alpable  and  plain  ; 

Say  unto  him.  Folly  thou  art  Wisdom, — he  will  bless  thee  for  thy  lie. 

Flatterer,  thou  shalt  rue  thy  trade,  tliough  it  hath  many  present  gains ; 
Those  varnished  wares  may  sell  apace,  yet  shall  they  spoil  thy  credit. 
Thine  is  the  intoxicating  cup,  which  whoso  drinketh  it  shall  nauseate ; 
Thine  is  trickery  and  cheating ;  but  deception  never  pleased  for  long. 
And  though,  while  fresh,  thy  fragrance  seemed  even  as  the  dews  of  charity, 
Yet  afterward  it  fouled  thy  censer,  as  with  savour  of  stale  smoke. 
Fiif  t'ic  great  mind  detected  thee  at  once,  answering  thine  emptiness  with 

He  saw  thy  self-interested  zeal,  and  was  not  cozened  by  vain-glory : 

And  the  little  mind  is  bloated  with  the  praise,  scorning  him  v.'ho  gave  it, 

A  fool  shall  turn  to  bo  tliy  tyrant,  if  thou  hast  dubbed  him  great : 

And  the  medium  mind  of  conimorr  men,  loving  first  tliy  miisic, 

After,  when  the  liarmonies  are  done,  shall  feel   small  comfort  in  their 

echoes ; 
For  either  he  sljall  know  thee  false,  conscious  of  contrarj'  doser\-ings. 
And,  hating  thee  for  falsehood,  soon  will  scorn  himself  for  truth  ; 
Or,  if  in  aught  to  toilsome  merit  honest  praise  be  dae, 
Though  for  a   season,  belike,  his  weakness  hatli  been  raptured   at  thy 

witching. 
Shall  he  not  speedily  perceive,  to  the  vexing  of  his  disappointed  spirit, 
That  thine  exaggerative  tongue  had  robbed  iiim  of  fair  fame  ? 
Thou  hast  paid  in  forger's  coins,  and  he  hath  earned  true  money : 


OF  FLATTERY.  177 

For  tlie  substance  of  just  praise  thou  hast  put  him  ofF  with  sliadows  of  the 

sycophant. 
Thou  art  all  things  to  all  men,  for  ends  false  and  selfish, 
Therefore  shnJt  be  nothing  unto  any  one,  when  those  thine  ends  are  seen. 


Turn  aside,  J'oung  scholar,  turn  from  the  song  of  Flatter}' ! 

She  hath  the  Siren's  musical  voice,  to  ravish  and  betray. 

Her  tongue  droppeth  honey,  but  it  is  the  honey  of  Anticyra ; 

Her  face  is  a  mask  of  facination,  but  there  hideth  deformity  behind ; 

Her  coming  is  the  presence  of  a  queen,  heralded  by  courtesy  and  beauty, 

But,  going  away,  her  train  is  held  by  the  hideous  dwarf.  Disgust. 

Know  thyself,  thy  evil  as  thy  good,  and  flattery  shall  not  harm  thcc : 

Yea,  her  speech  shall  be  a  warning,  a  humbling,  and  a  guide. 

For  wherein  thou  lackost  most,  there  chiefly  will  the  sycophant  commend 

thee, 
And  then  most  warmly  will  congratulate,  when  a  man  hath  least  deserved. 
Behold,  she  is  doubly  a  traitor ;  and  will  underrate  her  victim's  best, 
That,  to  the  comforting  of  conscience,  she  may  plead  his  worse  for  better. 

Therefore  is  she  dangerous, — as  every  lie  is  dangerous : 

Believe  her  tales,  and  perish  ;  if  thou  act  upon  such  counsel. 

Her  aims  are  thine,  not  thee  ;  thy  wealth,  and  not  tliy  welfare  ; 

Thy  sufl"rage,  not  thy  safety  ;  thine  aid,  and  not  thine  honour. 

Moreover,  with  those  aims  insured,  ceaseth  all  her  glozing ; 

She  hatli  used  thee  as  a  handle, — but  her  hand  was  wise  to  turn  it : 

Thus  will  .she  glorify  her  skill,  that  it  deftly  caught  thy  kindness. 

Thus  win  she  scorn  thy  kindness,  so  pliable  and  easy  to  her  skill. 

And  then,  the  flatterer  will  turn  to  be  thy  foe,  the  bitterest  and  hottest, 

Because  he  oweth  thee  much  hate  to  pay  ofi^many  hiimblings. 

Thinkest  thou  now  that  he  is  high,  he  loveth  the  remembrance  of  his  low- 
liness. 

The  servile  manner,  the  dependent  smile,  the  conscience  self-abased  ? 

No,  this  hour  is  his  own,  and  the  flatterer  will  be  found  a  busy  mocker ; 

He  that  hath  salved  thee  with  his  tongue  shall  now  gnash  upon  thee  with 
his  teeth. 

Yea,  he  will  be  leader  in  the  laugh, — silly  one,  to  listen  to  thy  lo?s. 

We  scarce  had  hoped  to  lime  and  take  another  of  the  fools  of  flattery. 

8* 


178  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

At  the  liU't ;  liave  charily,  young  scliolar, — yoa,  to  tlie  sycophant  convicted  ', 

Be  not  a  Brutus  to  tliyself,  nor  stern  in  thine  own  cause. 

Pardon  exaggerated  praise  ;  for  there  is  a  natural  impulse 

Spurring  on  the  nobler  mind,  to  colour  facts  by  feelings  : 

Take  an  indulgent  view  of  each  man's  interest  in  self, 

Be  large  and  liberal  in  excuses  ;  is  not  that  infirmity  thine  own  ? 

Search  tliy  sonl  and  be  imuiblc  ;  and  mercy  abideth  with  luunility ; 

So  that,  yea,  the  insincere,  may  fmd  the  pitiful,  and  love  thee. 

?*Iildly  put  aside,  witliont  rudeness  of  repulse,  the  pampering  hand  of  flat- 
tery. 

For  courtesy  and  kindness  have  gone  beneath  its  guise,  and  ill  shouldst 
thou  rebuke  them. 

Thou,  art  incapable  of  tlioft :  but  flowers  in  t!ie  garden  of  a.  friend 

Are  thi:;e  to  pluck  Vi-itli  confidence,  and  it  were  unfriendliness  to  hesitiite ; 

Thou  abhorrest  flattery  :  but  a  generous  excess  in  praise 

Is  thine  to  yield  with  hone^^t  heart,  and  false  were  the  charity  to  doubt  it ; 

The  difforcnco  lieth  in  thine  aim  ;  kindliness  and  good  are  of  charity, 

But  selfis'i;  harmful,  vile,  and  bad,  is  flattery's  evil  end. 


OF    NEGLECT. 

Gknerous  and  righteoii-  is  thy  grief,  slighted  child  of  scn^^ibility ; 
For  kindliness  enkindleth  love,  but  the  waters  of  indilTercnce  quench  it ; 
Thy  soul  is  athrist  for  sympathy,  and  hungereth  to  find  aflection. 
The  tender  scions  of  tliy  heart  yearn  for  the  sunshine  of  good  feeling ; 
And  it  is  an  evil  thing  and  bitter,  w-]icn  the  cheerful  face  of  Charity, 
Going  forth  gayly  in  the  morning  to  woo  the  world  with  smiles, 
Is  met  by  those  wayfaring  men  with  coldness,  suspicion,  aud  repulse. 
And  tui'neth.  into  hard  dead  stone  at  the  Gorgon  visage  of  Neglect. 

0  brother,  warm  and  young,  covetous  of  others'  favour, 

1  see  thee  checked  and  cliilled,  sorrowing  for  censure  or  forgetfulness. 
Let  coarse  and  common  minds  despise — that  wounding  of  thy  vanity, 
Alas,  I  note  a  sorer  cause,  the  blighting  of  thy  love ; 

Let  the  callous  sensual  deride  thee, — disappointed  of  thy  praise, 


OF  NEGLECT.  179 

Alas,  thou  na?l  a  jiister  grief,  defrauded  of  their  kindness : 
It  is  a  theme  for  tears  to  feel  the  soft  heart  hardenin-r, 
The  frozen  breath  of  apathy  sealing  up  the  fountain  of  affection  ; 
It  is  a  pang  keen  only  to  the  best,  to  bo  injured  well-deserving. 
And  slumbering  Neglect  is  injury, — could  ye  not  watcl)  one  hour  ? 
When  God  himself  complained,  it  was  that  none  regarded, 
And  indifference  bowed  to  the  rebuke,  Thou  gavcst  Me  no  kiss  when  I 
came  in. 

IMoreover,  praise  is  good  ;  honour  is  a  treasure  to  he  hoarded  ; 
A  good  man's  praise  foreshadoweth  God's,  and  in  His  smile  is  heaven : 
But  men  walk  on  in  hardihood,  steeling  their  sinfulness  to  censure, 
And  where  rebuke  is  ridiculed,  the  love  of  praise  were  an  in.firmity  ; 
The  judge  tliou  heedest  not  in  fear,  cannot  have  deep  h.omage  of  thy  hope, 
And  who  then  is  tiie  wise  of  this  v/orld,  that  will  ov.n  he  trembleth  at  his 

fellows  ? 
Calm,  careless,  and  insensible,  he  mocketh  blame  or  calumny, 
Neither  should  his  dignity  bo  huml:)!ed  to  some  pittance  of  their  praise  : 
The  rather,  lot  false  pride  affect  to  trample  on  the  treasure 
Which  evermore  in  secret  strength  unconquered  Nature  prizeth  ; 
Rather,  shall  he  stifle  now  the  rising  bliss  of  triumph. 
Lest  after,  in  the  world's  Neglect,  he  must  acknowledge  bitterness. 

For  lo,  tliat  world  is  wide,  a  huge  and  crowded  contiac.it, 

Its  brazen  sun  is  mammon,  and  its  iron  soil  is  care, 

A  world  full  of  men,  where  eacli  man  clingeth  to  his  idol ; 

A  world  full  uf  men,  where  eacli  man  cherisheth  his  sorrow  ; 

A  world  full  of  men,  multitude  shoaling  upon  multitude ; 

A  surging  sea,  where  every  wave  is  burdened  with  an  argosy  of  self; 

A  boundless  l;each,  where  every  stone  is  a  separate  microscopic  world  ; 

A  forest  of  innumerable  trees,  where  every  root  is  independent. 

What  then  is  tlie  marvel  or  the  shame,  if  units  bo  lost  among  the  million  ? 

Canst  thou  reasonably  murmur,  if  a  leaf  drop  off  unnoticed  ? 

Wondrous  in  architecture,  intricate  and  beautifid,  delicately  tinged  and 

scented, 
Exquisite  of  feeling  and  mysterious  in  life,  none  cared  for  its  growth,  or 

its  decay  : 
None  ?  yea, — no  one  of  its  fellows, — nor  cedar,  palm,  nor  bramble, — 


180  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

None  ?  its  twinborn  brother  scarcely  missed  it  from  the  spray : 
None  ? — if  none  indeed,  then  man's  neglect  were  bitterness  ; 
And  life  a  land  without  a  s\m,  a  globe  witliout  a  God ! 
Yea,  flowers  in  the  desert,  there  be  that  love  your  beauty ; 
Yea,  jewels  in  the  sea,  there  be  that  prize  your  brightness  ; 
Children  of  unmerited  oblivion,  there  be  tliat  watch  and  woo  you, 
And  many  tend  your  sweets,  with  gentle  ministering  care  : 
Thronging  spirits  of  the  happy,  and  the  ever  present  Good  One, 
Yearning  seek  those  precious  things  man  liath  not  heart  to  love ; 
Gems  of  the  humblest  or  the  highest,  pure  and  patient  in  their  kind, 
Th-e  souls  unhardened  by  ill-usage,  and  uncorrupt  by  luxury. 

And  ye,  poor  desolates  unsunned,  toilers  in  the  dark  damp  mine, 
Wearied  daughters  of  oppression,  crushed  beneath  the  car  of  avarice, 
There  be  that  count  your  tears, — ho  hath  numbered  the  hairs  of  thy 

head, — 
There  be  that  can  forgive  your  ill  with  kind  considerate  pity: 
Count  ye  this  for  comfort.  Justice  hath  her  balances, 
And  ye-t  another  world  can  compensate  for  all : 
Tiie  daily  martyrdom  of  patience  shall  not  be  wanting  of  reward  ; 
Duty  is  a  prickly  shrub,  but  its  flower  will  bs  happiness  and  glory. 

Y'e  too,  the  friendless,  yet  dependent,  that  find  nor  home  nor  lover, 
Sad  imprisoned  hearts,  captive  to  the  net  of  circumstance, — 
And  ye,  too  harshly  judged,  noble  unappreciated  intellects. 
Who,  capable  of  highest,  lowlier  fix  your  just  ambition  in  content. 
And  chiefest,  ye  famished  infants  of  tin  poor,  toiling  for  your  parents'  bread. 
Tired,  and  sore,  and  uncomfortcd  the  while,  for  want  of  love  and  learning. 
Who  struggle  with  the  pitiless  machine  in  dull  continuous  conflict, 
Tasked  by  iron  men,  v\'ho  care  for  nothing  but  your  labour, — 
Be  ye  long-suffering  and  courageous  ;  abide  the  will  of  Heaven  : 
God  is  on  your  side ;  all  things  are  tenderly  remembered  : 
His  servants  here' shall  help  you  ;  and  where  those  fail  you  through  Neg- 
lect, 
His  kingdom  still  hath  time  and  space  for  ample  discriminative  Justice : 
Yea,  though  utterly  on  this  bad  earth  ye  lose  both  right  and  mercy. 
The  tears  that  we  forgat  to  note,  our  God  shall  wipe  away. 

Nevertheless,  kind  spirit,  susceptible  and  guileless, 


OF  NEGLECT.  181 

Mcel;  uncherished  clove,  in  a  carrion  flock  of  fowls, 

Sensitive  mimosa,  shrinking  from  the  winds  that  help  to  root  the  fir, 

Fragile  nautilus,  shi])wrecked  in  the  gale  whereat  the  conch  is  glad, 

Thy  sharp  peculiar  grief  is  imcomforted  by  hope  of  compensation. 

For  it  is  a  delicate  and  spiritual  wound,  vvhich  the  probe  of  pity  bruisethj 

Yet  hear  how  many  thoughts  extenuate  its  pain  ; 

Even  while  a  kindred  heart  can  sorrow  for  its  presence. 

For  the  sting  of  neglect  is  in  this, — that  such  as  we  are,  all  forget  us, 

That  men  and  women,  kith  and  kin,  so  lightly  heed  of  other : 

Sym.pathy  is  lacking  from  the  guilty  such  as  we,  even  where  angels 

minister. 
And  souls  of  line  accord  must  prize  a  fellow-sinner's  love  : 
For  the  worst  love  those  who  love  them,  and  the  best  claim  heart  for  heart, 
And  it  is  a  holy  thirst  to  long  for  love's  requital : 
Hard  it  will  be,  hard  and  sad,  to  love  and  be  unloyed. 
And  many  a  thorn  is  thrust  into  the  side  of  him  that  is  forgotten. 
The  oppressive  silence  of  reserve,  the  frost  of  failing  friendship, 
Affection  blighted  by  repulse,  or  chilled  by  shallow  courtesy. 
The  unaided  struggle,  the  unconsidered  grief,  the  unestecmed  self-sacrifice, 
The  gift,  dear  evidence  of  kindness,  long  due,  but  never  offered, 
Tlic  glance  estranged,  the  letter  flung  aside,  the  greeting  ill  received. 
The  services  of  unobtrusive  care  unthanked,  perchance  unheeded. 
These  things,  v/hich  hard  men  mock  at,  rend  the  feelings  of  the  tender. 
For  the  delicate  tissue  of  a  spiritual  mind  is  torn  by  those  sharp  barbs  ; 
The  coldness  of  a  trusted  friend,  a  plentitude  ending  in  vacuity. 
Is  as  if  tnc  stable  world  had  burst  a  hollow  bubble. 

But,  consider  cliild  of  sensibility ;  the  lot  of  men  is  labour. 

Labour  for  the  mouth,  or  labour  in  tlie  sjiirit,  labour  stern  and  individual. 

Worldly  cares  and  worldly  hopes  exact  the  thoughts  of  all. 

And  there  is  a  necessary  selfishness  rooted  in  each  mortal  breast. 

The  plans  of  prudence,  or  the  v/hisperings  of  pride,  or  all-absorbing  re- 
veries of  love. 

Ambition,  grief,  or  fear,  or  joy,  set  each  man  for  himself: 

Therefore,  the  centre  of  a  cycle,  whereunto  all  the  universe  convcrgeth. 

Is  seen  in  follen  solitude,  the  naked  selfish  heart : 

Stripped  of  conventional  deceptions,  untrammelled  from  tliG  hamoas  of 
society, 

We  all  may  read  one  little  word  engraved  on  all  we  do ; 


182  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Other  men,  what  are  they  unto  ns  ?  the  age,  the  mass,  tlie  million, — 

We  segregate  distinct  from  generalities,  that  isolated  particle,  a  self: 

It  is  the  very  law  of  our  life,  a  law  for  soul  and  body, 

An  earthly  law  for  earthly  men,  toiling  in  responsible  probation. 

For  each  is  the  all  unto  himself,  disguise  it  as  we  may, 

Each  infinite,  each  most  precious  ;  yet  even  as  a  nothing  to  his  neighbour. 

O  consider,  \vc  bo  crowding  up  an  avenue,  tripped  in  the  decoy  of  time, 

Behind  us  the  irrevocable  past,  before  us  the  illimitable  future, 

What  wonder  is  tliere,  if  the  traveller,  wayworn,  hopeful,  fearful, 

Burdened  himself,  so  lightly  heed  the  burden  of  his  brother  ? 

How  shouldst  thou  marvel  and  be  sad  that  the  pilgrims  trouble  not  to  learn 

thee, 
When  each  hvlh  to  master  for  himself  the  lessons  of  life  and  immortality  ? 

Moreover,  what  art  thou, — so  vainly  impatient  of  neglect. 

Where  then  is  thy  worthiness,  that  so  thou  claimest  honour  ? 

Let  tlie  true  judgment  of  Iiumility  reckon  up  thine  ill  deserts, 

How  little  is  there  to  be  loved,  hov/  much  to  stir  up  scorn  ? 

The  double  heart,  the  bitter  tongue,  the  rash  and  erring  spirit, 

Be  these,  ye  purest  among  men,  your  passports  into  favour  ? 

It  is  mercy  in  the  Merciful,  and  justice  in  the  Just,  to  be  jealous  of  his 

creature's  love, 
But  how  should  evil  or  duplicity  arrogate  affection  to  itself? 
Where  love  is  happiness  and  duty,  to  be  jealous  of  that  love  is  godlike. 
But  who  can  reverence  the  guilty  ?  who  findeth  pleasure  in  the  mean  ? 
Check  the  presumption  of  thy  hopes  :  thankfully  take  refuge  in  obscurity, 
Or,  if  thou  claimest  merit,  thy  sin  shall  be  proclaimed  upon  the  housetops. 

Yet  again :  consider  them  of  old,  the  good,  the  great,  the  learned, 

Who  have  blessed  the  world  by  wisdom,  and  glorified  their  God  by  purity, 

Did  those  speed  in  favour  ?  were  they  the  loved  and  the  admired  ? 

Was  every  prophet  h:id  in  honour  ?  and  every  deserving  one  remembered 

to  Iiis  praise  ? 
What  shall  I  say  of  yonder  band,  a  glorious  cloud  of  witnesses, 
The  scorned,  defamed,  insulted, — ^but  the  excellent  of  earth  ? 
It  were  weariness  to  count  up  noble  nam.es,  neglected  in  their  lives, 
Whom  none  esteemed,  nor  cared  to  love,  till  deatli  had  sealed  them  his. 
For  good  men  are  the  health  of  the  world,  valued  only  when  it  perisheth, 
Like  water,  light,  and  air,  ail  precious  in  their  absence. 


or  NEGLECT.  183 

Wlio  hath  considered  the  blessing  of  his  breath,  till  the  poison  of  an  asthma 

struck  him  ? 
Wlio  iiath  regarded  the  just  puises  of  his  Iieart,  till  spasm  or  paralysis 

have  stopped  them  ? 
Even  thus,  an  unobserved  routine  of  daily  grace  and  wisdom, 
When  no  more  here,  hud  Vvorship  of  a  world,  whose  penitence  atoned  for 

its  neglect. 
And  living  genius  is  seen  among  inflrmities,  whcrefrom  tlie  commoner  are 

free  ; 
And  other  rival  men  of  mind  crowd  this  arena  of  contention  ; 
And  there  be  many  cares ;  and  a  man  knoweth  little  of  his  brother ; 
Feebly  we  appreciate  a  motive,  and  slowly  keep  pace  with  a  feeling ; 
And  social  difference  is  much  ;  and  experience  teacheth  sadly, 
How  great  the  treachery  of  friends,  hov/  dangerous  the  courtesy  of  enemies. 
So,  the  sum  of  all  these  things  operateth  largely  upon  all  men. 
Hedging  us  about  with  thorns,  to  cramp  our  yearning  sympathies, 
And  we  grow  materialized  in  mind,  forgetting  what  we  see  not, 
But,  imm.srsed  in  perceptions  of  the  present,  keep  things  absent  out  of 

thouglit : 
Thus,  wliere  ingratitude,  and  guilt,  and   labour,  and   selfishness   would 

harJen, 
Humbly  will  the  good  man  bov.',  uinnurmuring,  to  Neglect. 

Yet  once  more,  griever  at  Neglect,  hear  me  to  tlTy  comfort,  or  rebuke : 
For,  after  all  thy  just  complaint,  the  world  is  full  of  love. 
O  heart  of  childhood,  tender,  trusting,  and  affectionate, 
O  youth,  warm  youth,  full  of  generous  attentions, 
O  woman,  self-forgetting  woman,  poetry  of  human  life  ; 
And  not  less  thou,  O  man,  so  often  the  disinterested  brother, 
Many  a  smile  of  love,  many  a  tear  of  pity, 
Many  a  word  of  comfort,  many  a  deed  of  magnanimity. 
Many  a  strc;im  of  milk  and  honey  pour  ye  freely  on  the  earth. 
And  nrniy  a  rosebud  of  love  rejoiceth  in  the  dew  of  your  affection. 
Neglect  ?  O  liberal  world,  for  thine  are  many  prizes  : 
Neglect  ?  ()  charitable  world,  whore  thousands  feed  on  bounty  ; 
Neglect  ?  O  just  world,  for  thy  judgments  err  not  often  ; 
Neglect  ?  O  libel  on  a  world,  where  half  that  world  is  woman  ! 
Where  is  the  afllicted,  whose  voice,  once  heard,  stirreth  not  a  host  of  coin.- 
fortcrs  ? 


184  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Where  is  the  sick  untcndcd,  or  in  prison,  and  tlicy  visited  hiin  not  ? 

The  hnngry  is  fed,  and  the  thirsty  satisfied,  till  ability  set  hmits  to  the 

will," 
And  these  who  did  it  unto  them,  have  done  it  unto  God  ! 
For  human  benevolence  is  large,  though  many  matters  dwarf  it, 
Prudence,  ignorance,  imposture,  and  the  straitenings  of  circumstance  and 

time. 
And  if  to  the  body,  so  to  the  mind,  the  mass  of  men  are  generous : 
Their  estimate  who  know  us  best,  is  seldom  seen  to  en* : 
Be  sure  the  fliult  is  thine,  as  pride,  or  shallowness,  or  vanity, 
If  all  around  thee,  good  and  bad,  neglect  thy  seeming  merit : 
No  man  yet  deserved,  wb.o  found  not  some  to  love  him  ; 
And  he  that  never  kept  a  friend  need  only  blame  himself: 
Many  for  unworthiness  will  droop  and  die,  but  all  are  not  unworthy  ; 
It  must  indeed  be  cold  clay  soil  that  killeth  every  seed. 
Therefore  examine  thy  state,  O  self-accounted  martyr  of  Neglect, 
It  may  be,  thy  merit  is  a  cubit,  and  thy  measure  thereof  a  furlong : 
I5ut  grant  it  greater  than  thy  thoughts,  and  grant  that  men  thy  fellows 
For  pleasure,  business,  or  interest,  misuse,  forget,  neglect  thee, — 
Still  be  thou  conqueror  in  this,  the  consciousness  of  high  deservings ; 
Let  it  suffice  thee  to  be  worthy  ;    faint  not  thou  for  praise ; 
For  that  thou  art,  be  grateful ;  go  humbly  even  in  thy  confidence  ; 
And  set  thy  foot  on  the  neck  of  an  enemy  so  harmless  as  Neglect. 


OF    CONTENTMENT. 

Godliness  with  Contentment, — these  be  the  pillars  of  felicity, 
Jachin,  wherewithal  it  is  established,  and  Boaz,  in  the  which  is  strength  :  (") 
And  upo:i  their  capit;ils  is  lily-work,  the  lotus  fruit  and  flower, 
Those  fair  and  fragrant  types  of  holiness,  innocence,  and  beauty  ; 
Great  gain  pertaineth  to  the  pillars,  nets  and  chains  of  wreathen  gold. 
And  they  stand  up  straight  in  the  temple  porch,  the  house  v/here  Glory 
dwelleth. 

The  body  cravetli  meats,  and  tha  spirit  is  athirst  for  peacefulness  ; 
He  that  hath  these,  hath  enough ;  for  all  beyond  is  vanity. 


OF  C0NTENTMEI;T.  185 

Surfeit  vaulteth  over  pleasure,  to  light  upon  the  hither  side  of  pnin ; 

Antl  great  store  is  great  care,  the  rather  if  it  mightily  increaseth. 

Albeit  too  little  is  a  trouble,  yet  too  iiiucli  shall  swell  into  an  evil, 

If  wisdom  stand  not  nigh  to  moderate  the  wishes  : 

For  covctousncss  never  had  enough,  but  nioanelh  at  its  wants  for  ever, 

And  rich  men  have  commonly  more  need  to  be  taught  contentment  tiian 

the  poor. 
Tiiat  hungry  chr.sm  in  their  market-place  gapcth  stiil  unsatisfied, 
Yea,  fling  in  all  the  wealth  of  Rome, — it  asketh  higher  victims ; 
So,  when  the  miser's  gold  cannot  fdl  tlie  measure  of  his  lust, 
Curtius  must  leap  into  the  pit,  and  avarice  shall  close  upon  his  life.  ('*) 

Behold  Independence  in  Iiis  rags,  all  too  easily  contented, 

Careful  for  nothing,  thankful  for  much,  and  uncomplaining  in  his  poverty  ; 

Such  an  one  have  I  somewhile  seen  earn  his  crust  v/ith  gladness  : 

He  is  a  gatherer  of  simples,  culling  wild  herbs  upon  the  hills : 

And  now,  as  he  sitteth  on  the  beach,  with  his  mortherless  child  beside  him, 

To  rest  them  in  the  cheerful  siui,  and  sort  tiieir  mints  and  horehound, — 

Tell  m'_'.  can  ye  find  upon  his  forehead  the  cloud  of  covetous  anxiety, 

Or  note  the  dull  unkindled  eyes  of  sated  sons  of  pleasure  ? — 

For  there  is  more  joy  of  life  v/ith  tliat  poor  picker  of  the  ditches, 

Than  among  the  multitude  of  wealthy  who  wed  their  gains  to  discontent. 

I  have  seen  many  rich,  burdened  with  tlie  fear  of  poverty; 

I  have  seen  many  poor,  buoyed  v.ith  all  the  carelessnf^ss  of  wealth ; 

For  the  rich  had  the  spirit  of  a  pauper,  and  the  moneyless  a  libera!  heart ; 

The  first  enjoyeth  not  for  having,  and  the  latter  liath  notijing  but  enjoy- 
ment. 

None  is  poor  but  t'le  moan  in  mind,  the  timorous,  the  weak,  and  unbe- 
lieving ; 

None  is  wealthy  but  the  affluent  in  soul,  who  is  satisfied  and  flo'.vcth  over. 

The  poor-rich  is  attenuate  for  fears,  the  rich-poor  is  fattened  upon  hopes; 

Cheerfulness  is  one  man's  welcome,  and  the  otlier  warneth  from  him  by 
his  gloom. 

Many  poor  have  the  pleasures  of  the  ricli,  even  in  their  own  possessions  ; 

And  many  rich  miss  the  poor  man's  comforts,  and  yet  feel  all  his  cares. 

Liberty  is  affluence,  and  the  Helots  of  anxiety  never  can  be  counted  wejtl- 
thy; 

But  he  that  is  disenthralled  from  fear,  gocth  for  tlie  time  a  king ; 


186  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

He  is  royal,  great,  and  opulent,  living  free  of  fortune, 
And  looking  on  the  world  as  owner  of  its  good,  the  Maker's  child  and  heir: 
Whereas  the  covetous  is  slavish,  a  very  Midas  in  his  avarice. 
Full  of  dismal  dreams,  and  starved  amongst  his  treasures  : 
The  ceaseless  spur  of  discontent  goaded  him  with  instant  apprehension, 
And  his  thirst  for  gold  could  never  be  quenched,  for  he  drank  with  the 
throat  of  Crassus.  (") 

Vanity  and  dreary  disappointment,  care,  and  weariness  and  envy ; 

Vanity  is  graven  upon  all  tilings ;  wisely  spake  the  preacher. 

For  ambition  is  a  burning  mountain,  thrown  up  amid  the  turbid  sea, 

A  Stromboli  in  sullen  pride  above  the  hissing  waves  : 

And  the  statesman  climbing  there,  forgetful  of  his  patriot  intentions. 

Shall  hate  the  strife  of  each  rough  step,  or  ever  he  hath  toiled  midway ; 

And  every  truant  from  his  home,  the  happy  home  of  duty. 

Shall  live  to  loathe  his  eminence  of  cares,  that  seething  smoke  and  lava. 

Contentment  is  the  temperate  repast,  flowing  with  milk  and  honey  ; 

Ambition  is  the  drunken  orgy,  fed  by  liquid  flames  ; 

A  black  and  bitter  frown  is  stamped  upon  the  forehead  of  Ambition, 

But  fair  Contentment's  angel-face  is  rayed  with  winning  smiles. 

There  was  in  Tyre  a  merchant,  the  favourite  child  of  fortune. 
An  opulent  man  with  many  ships,  to  trade  in  many  climes  ; 
And  he  rose  up  earl}"^  to  his  merchandise,  after  feverish  dreaming, 
And  lay  down  late  to  his  hot  unrest,  overwhelmed  with  calculated  cares. 
So,  day  by  day,  and  month  by  month,  and  year  by  year,  he  gained  ; 
And  grew  gray,  and  waxed  great ;  for  money  brought  him  all  things. 
All  things  ? — verily  not  all ;  the  kernel  of  the  nut  is  lacking, — 
His  mind  was  a  stranger  to  content,  and  as  for  Peace,  he  knew  her  not : 
Luxuries  palled  upon  his  palate,  and  his  eyes  were  satiate  with  purple ; 
He  could  coin  much  gold,  but  buy  no  happiness  with  it. 
And  on  a  day,  a  day  of  dread,  in  the  heat  of  inordinate  ambition. 
When  he  threw  with  a  gambler's  hand,  to  lose  or  to  double  his  posses- 
sions, 
The  chance  hit  him, — he  had  speculated  ill, — and  men  began  to  whisper  ; — 
Those  he  trusted,  foiled ;  and  their  usuries  had  bribed  him  deeply  : 
One  ship  foundered  out  at  sea, — and  another  met  the  pirate, — 
And  so,  with  broken  fortunes,  men  discreetly  shunned  him. 
He  was  a  stricken  stag,  and  went  to  hide  away  in  solitude, 


OF  CONTENTMENT.  187 

And  there  in  Immility,  he  thought, — lie  resolved,  and  proinptly  acted : 
From  the  \\  reck  of  ali  his  splendours,  from  the  dregs  of  the  goblet  of  afflu- 
ence, 
lie  saved  with  management  a  morsel  and  a  drop,  for  his  daily  cup  and 

platter : 
And  lo,  that  little  was  enough,  and  in  enough  was  competence  : 
His  cares  were  gone, — he  slept  by  night,  and  lived  at  peace  by  day : 
Cured  of  his  guilty  selfishness, — money's  love,  envy,  competition, — 
He  lived  to  be  thankful  in  a  cottage  that  he  had  lost  a  palace  : 
For  he  found  in  his  abasement,  uhat  he  vainly  had  sought  in  high  estate. 
Both  mind  and  body  well  at  ease,  though  robed  in  the  russet  of  the  lowly. 

Once  more  ;  a  certain  priest,  happy  in  his  high  vocation, 

With  faith,  and  hope,  and  charity,  well  served  his  village  altar  ; 

As  men  count  riches,  he  was  poor  ;  but  great  were  his  treasures  in  hea\'en. 

And  great  his  joys  on  earth,  for  God's  sake  doing  good  : 

He  had  few  cares  and  many  consolations,  one  of  the  welcome  every  where  ; 

The  labourer  accounted  him  his  friend,  and  magnates  did  him  honour  at 

their  table : 
\\'ith  a  large  heart  and  little  means  he  still  made  many  grateful, 
And  felt  as  the  centre  of  a  circle,  of  comfort,  calmness,  and  content. 
But  on  a  weaker  Sabbath, — lor  he  preached  jjoth  well  and  wisely, — 
Some  casual  hearer  loudly  praised  his  great  neglected  talents : 
Why  should  he  be  buried  in  obscurity,  an4  throw  these  pearls  to  swine  ? 
Could  he  not  still  be  doing  good. — the  whilst  he  pushed  his  fortunes  ? 
Then  came  temptation,  even  on  the  spark  of  discontent ; 
The  neighbouring  town  had  a  pulpit  to  be  filled ;  hotly  did  he  canvass  and 

won  it : 
Now  was  he  popular  and  courted,  and  listened  to  the  spell  of  admiration. 
And  toiled  to  please  the  taste,  rather  tlnn  to  jiierce  the  conscience. 
Greedily  he  sought,  and  seeking  found,  the  patronizing  notice  of  the  gi'cat; 
He  thirsted  for  emoluments  and  honours,  and  counted  rich  men  happy  : 
So  he  flattered,  so  he  preached  ;  and  gold  and  fame  flowed  in ; 
They  flowed  in, — he  was  reaping  his  reward, — and  he  felt  himself  a  fool. 
Alas,  what  a  shadow  was  he  following, — how  precious  was  the  substance 

he  had  left ! 
Man  for  God,  gold  for  good,  this  was  his  miserable  bargain. 
The  village  church,  its  humble  flock,  and  humbler  parish  priest. 
Zeal,  devotion,  and  approving  heaven, — his  books,  and  simple  life, 


188  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

His  little  farm  ami  flower-beds, — his  recreative  rambles  with  a  friend, 
And  haply  at  the  eventide  the  leaping  trouts,  to  liclp  their  humble  fare,— 
All  these  Vv-retchedly  oxcluuiged  for  what  the  \\-orld  called  fortune. 
With  the  havrovviny  conscience  of  a  stjite  relapsed  to  vain  ambition«. 
Tiien,  for  God  was  gracious  to  his  soul,  his  better  thoughts  returned, 
And  better  aims  with  better  thoughts,  his  holy  walk  of  old. 
Sickened  of  style,  and  ostentation,  and  the  dissipative  fashions  of  society. 
He  deserted  from  the  ranks  of  3Iammon,  and  renewed  his  allegiance  to 

God  : 
For  he  found  that  the  jjraises  of  men.  and  all  that  gold  can  give, 
Arc  not  worthy  to  be  named  against  godliness  and  calm  contentment. 


OF    LI  F  E  . 

A  CHILD  -was  playing  in  a  garden,  a  merry  little  child, 
Bounding  with  triumphant  health,  and  full  of  happy  fancie?  ; 
llis  kite  was  floating  in  the  sunshine, — but  lie  tied  the  string  to  a  twi^, 
And  ran  umc>ng  the  roses  to  catch  a  new-born  butterfly ; 
His  b.orn-book  lay  up(jn  a  bank,  but  the  pretty  truant  hid  it, 
Buried  up  in  gathered  grass,  and  moss,  and  sweet  wild-thyme ; 
He  launched  a  i;aper  boat  npon*lhe  fountain, — then  wayv.ard turned  aside, 
To  twnne  some  vagrant  jessamines  about  the  dripping  marble  : 
So,  in  various  pastime,  shadowing  the  schemes  of  manhood, 
That  curly-headed  boy  consumed  the  golden  hours  : 
And  1  blessed  his  glowing  face,  envying  the  rnerry  little  child. 
As  he  shouted  v.ith  the  ecstasy  of  being,  clapping  his  hands  for  joyfulness : 
For  I  said,  Surely,  O  Life,  thy  name  is  happiness  and  hope. 
Thy  days  are  brlglit.  thy  flowers  are  sweet,  and  pleasure  the  condition  of 
thy  gift.    " 

A  youth  was  walking  in  the  moonlight,  vjalking  not  alone,  « 

For  a  fair  and  gentle  maid  leant  on  his  trembling  arm  : 

Their  whispering  was  still  of  beauty,  and  the  light  of  love  was  in  their 

eyes. 
Their  twin  young  hearts  had  not  a  thought  unvowed  to  love  and  beauty : 


OF  LIFE.  189 

The  stars,  and  the  sleeping  world,  and  the  guardian  eye  of  God, 

The  murmur  of  the  distant  waterfall,  and  nightingales  warbling  in  the 

thicket. 
Sweet  speech  of  years  to  come,  and  promises  of  fondest  hope , 
And  more,  a  present  gladness  in  each  other's  trust ; 
All  these  fed  their  souls  with  the  hidden  manna  of  affection, 
While  their  faces  shone  beatified  in  the  radiance  of  refleciod  Eden : 
I  gazed  on  that  fond  youth,  and  coveted  his  heart, 
Attuned  to  holiest  symphonies,  with  music  in  its  strings ; 
For  I  said,  Surely,  O  Life,  thy  name  is  love  and  beantv ; 
Thy  joys  are  full,  tliy  looks  most  fair,  thy  feelings  pure  and  sensitive. 

A  man  sat  beside  his  merchandise,  a  careworn  altered  man, 

His  waking  hope,  his  nightly  fear,  were  money  and  its  losses : 

Rarely  was  the  laugh  upon  the  cheek,  except  in  bitter  scorn, 

For  his  foolishness  of  heart,  and  the  lie  of  its  romance,  counting  Love  a 

treasure. 
Ilis  talk  is  of  stern  Reality,  chilling  unimaginative  facts, 
The  dull  material  accidents  of  this  sensual  body ; 
Lucrcless  honour  were  contemptible,  impoverished  affection  bu.t  a  pauper's 

riches. 
Duty,  struggling  unrewarded,  the  bargain  of  a  cheated  fool ; 
The  market- value  of  a  fancy  must  be  measured  by  the  gain  it  bringeth, 
No  man  is  fed,  or  clothed  by  fame,  or  love,  or  duty : — 
So  toiled  he  day  by  day,  that  cold  and  joyless  man ; 
I  gazed  upon  his  haggard  face,  and  sorrowed  for  the  change  : 
For  I  said,  Surely,  O  Life,  thy  name  is  care  and  weariness, 
Thy  soul  is  parched,  thy  winds  are  fierce,  and  the  suns  above  thee  har- 
dening. 

A  withered  elder  lay  upon  his  bed,  a  desolate  man  and  feeble ; 
His  thoughts  were  of  the  past,  the  early  past,  the  bygone  days  of  youth: 
Bitterly  repented  he  the  years  stolen  by  the  god  of  this  world  : 
Remembering  the  maiden  of  his  love,  and  the  heart-stricken  wife  of  his 

selfishness. 
For  the  sunshiny  morning  of  life  came  agiiin  to  him  a  vivid  truth, 
But  the  years  of  toil  as  a  long  dim  dream,  a  cloudy  blighted  noon  : 
He  saw  the  luitting  schoolboy,  but  forgat  the  speculative  merchant; 
The  callous  calculating  husband  was  shamed  by  the  generous  lover : 


190  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

He  knew  that  the  weeds  of  worldliness,  and  the  smoky  breath  of  Mammon 
Had  choked  and  killed  those  tender  shoots,  his  yearnings  after  honour  and 

affection : 
So  was  he  sick  at  heart,  and  my  pity  strove  to  cheer  him, 
But  a  deep  and  dismal  gulf  lay  between  comfort  and  his  soul. 
Then  I  said.  Surely,  O  Life,  thy  name  is  vanity  and  sorrow, 
Thy  storms  at  noon  are  many,  and  thine  eventide  is  clouded  by  remorse. 

Now,  when  I  thought  upon  these  things,  my  heart  was  grieved  within  me  : 
I  wept  with  bitterness  of  speech,  and  these  were  the  words  of  my  com- 
plaining : 
"  Wherefore  then  must  happiness  and  love  wither  into  care  and  vanity, — 
Wherefore  is  the  bud  so  beautiful,  but  flower  and  fruit  so  blighted  ? 
Hard  is  the  lot  of  man  ;  to  be  lured  by  the  meteor  of  romance, 
Only  to  be  snared,  and  to  sink,  in  the  turbid  mud-pool  of  reality." 

Suddenly,  a  light, — and  a  rushing   presence, — and  a  consciousness  of 

something  near  mo, — 
I  trembled,  and  listened,  and  prayed  :  then  I  knew  the  Angel  of  Life : 
Vague,  and  dimly  visible,  mine  eye  could  not  behold  him. 
As,  calmly  unimpassioned,  he  looked  upon  an  erring  creature  : 
Unseen,  ray  spirit  apprehended  him  ;  though  he  spake  not,  yet  I  heard ; 
For  a  sympathetic  communing  with  Him  flashed  upon  my  mind  electric. 

Pensioner  of  God,  be  grateful ;  the  gift  of  Life  is  good  : 

The  life  of  heart,  and  life  of  soul,  mingled  with  life  for  the  body. 

Gladness   and   beauty  are   its  just   inheritance, — tlie   beauty  thou   hast 

counted  for  romance : 
And  guardian  spirits  weep  that  seliishness  and  sorrow  should  destroy  it. 
Thou  hast  seen  the  natural  blessing  marred  into  a  curse  by  man ; 
Come  then,  in  favour  will  I  show  thee  the  proper  excellence  of  life. 
Keep  thou  purity,  and  watch  against  suspicion, — love  shall  never  perish ; 
Guard  thine  innocency  spotless,  and  the  buoyancy  of  childhood  shall  remain. 
Sweet  ideals  feed  the  soul,  thoughts  of  loveliness  delight  it ; 
The  chivalrous  aflection  of  uncalculating  youth  lacketh  not  honourable 

wisdom. 
Charge  not  folly  on  invisibles,  that  render  thee  happier  and  purer : 
The  fair  frail  visions  of  Romance  have  a  use  beyond  the  maxims  of  the 

Real. 


OF  LIFE.  191 

Behold,  a  ptitritirch  of  years,  v/ho  leaneth  on  the  staff  of  religion  ; 

His  heart  is  fresh,  quick  to  feel,  a  bursting  fount  of  generosity  ; 

He,  playful  in  his  wisdom,  is  gladdened  in  his  children's  gladness  : 

He,  pure  in  his  experience,  loveth  in  his  son's  first  love : 

Lofty  aspirations,  deep  affections,  holy  hopes  are  his  delight ; 

His  abhorrence  is  to  strip  from  Life  its  charitable  garment  of  Ideal. 

The  cold  and  callous  sneerer,  who  heedeth  of  the  merely  practical, 

And  mocketh  at  good  uses  in  imaginary  things,  that  man  is  his  scorn ; 

The  hard  unsyrapathizing  modern,  filled  with  facts  and  figures. 

Cautious  and  coarse,  and  materialized  in  mind,  that  man  is  his  pity. 

Passionate  thirst  for  gain  never  hath  burnt  within  his  bosom  ; 

The  leaden  chains  of  that  dull  lust  have  not  bound  him  prisoner : 

The  shrewd  world  laughed  at  him  for  honesty,  the  vain  world  mouthed  at 

liim  for  honour. 
The   false  world  hated  him  for  truth,  tlie  cold  world  despised  him  for 

affection . 
Still,  he  kept  his  treasure,  the  warm  and  noble  heart, 
And  in  that  happy  wise  old  man  sur^ive  the  child  and  lover. 
For  human  Life  is  as  Chian  wine,  flavoured  unto  him  who  drinkcth  it, 
Delicate  fragrance  comforting  the  soul,  as  needful  siibstance  for  the  body : 
Therefore,  see  thou  art  pure  and  guileless  ;  so  shall  thy  Realities  of  Life 
Be  sweetened,  and  tempered,  and  gladdened  by  the  wholesome  spirit  of 

Romance. 

Dost  thou  live,  man,  dost  thou  live, — or  only  breathe  and  labour  ? 

Art  thou  free,  or  enslaved  to  a  routine,  the  daily  machinery  of  habit  ? 

For  one  man  is  quickened  into  Life,  where  thousands  exist  as  in  a  torpor, 

I'eeding,  toiling,  sleeping,  an  insensate  weary  round  : 

The  plough,  or  the  ledger,  or  the  trade,  with  animal  cares  and  indolence, 

TiTake  the  mass  of  vital  years  a  heavy  lump  unleavened. 

Drowsily  lie  down  in  thy  dullness,  fettered  with  the  irons  of  circumstance, 

Thou  wilt  not  wake  to  think  and  feel  a  minute  in  a  month. 

The  epitome  of  common  life  is  seen  in  the  common  opitapii, 

Born  on  such  a  day,  and- dead  on  such  another,  with  an  interval  of  three- 
score years. 

For  time  hath  been  wasted  on  the  senses,  to  tlK>  hourly  diminishing  of 
spirit ; 

Lean  is  the  soul  and  pinetli,  in  the  midst  of  abundance  for  tiie  body  : 

He  forgat  the  world  to  which  he  tended,  and  a  creature's  true  nobility, 


192  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Nor  wished  tliat  liope  and  wholesome  fear  should  stir  him  from  liis  hardened 

satisfaclion. 
And  thi:5  is  death  in  life ;  (o  bo  sunk  beneath  tlic  waters  of  the  Actual, 
Without  one  feebly-struggling  sense  of  an  airier  spiritual  realm  : 
Affection,  fancy,  feeling — dead  ;  imagination,  conscience,  f;uth, 
All  wilfully  expunged,  till  tliey  leave  the  man  mere  carcass. 
See  thou  livest,  whiles  tliou  art :  for  heart  must  live,  and  soul, 
But  care  and  sloth  and  sin  and  self,  combine  to  kill  that  life. 
A  man  will  grow  to  an  automaton,  an  appendage  to  the  counter  or  the 

desk, 
If  mind  and  spirit  !>e  not  roused  to  raise  the  plodding  groveller: 
Then  praise  God  for  Sabbaths,  for  books,  and  dreams,  and  pains, 
For  the  recreative  face  of  nature,  and  the  kindling  charities  of  home ; 
And  remombrr.  thou  that  labourest, — thy  leism-e  is  not  loss, 
If  it  help  to  expose  and  undermiiie  that  solid  falsehood,  the  Material. 

Life  i^  a  stranpfe  avenue  of  various  trees  and  flowers  ; 

Lightsome  at  coaiinoncemenf,  but  darkening  to  its  end  in  a  distant  massy 

■  portil. 
It  hegipincth  as  a  little  path,  edged  with  the  violet  anil  primrose, 
A  little  path  of  lawny  grass,  and  soft  to  tiny  feet : 
Soon,  spring  thistles  in  the  way,  those  early  griefs  of  school, 
And  fruit-trees  ranged  on  either  hand  ehovv  holiday  delights  : 
Anon,  the  rose  and  the  mimosa  hint  at  sensitive  aflection. 
And  vipers  hide  among  the  grass,  and  briers  are  woven  in  the  liedges : 
iSiiortly,  staked  along  in  order,  stand  the  slender  saplings, 
While  hollow  hemlock  and  tall  ferns  fJl  the  frequent  interval : 
So  advancing,  quaintly  mi-xed,  majestic  line  the  way 
Sturdy  oaks,  and  vigorous  elms,  the  beech  and  forest-pine  : 
And  here  the  road  is  rough  witli  rocks,  wide,  and  scant  of  herbage, 
The  sun  is  hot  in  heaven,  and  the  ground  is  cleft  and  parcheJ  : 
And  many-times  a  hollow-trunk,  decayed  or  lightning-scathed, 
Or  in  its  deadly  solitude,  the  melancholy  upas  : 
But  soon,  with  closer  ranks,  are  set  the  sentinel  trees, 
And  darker  shadows  hover  amongst  Autumn's  mellow  tints ; 
Ever  and  anon,  a  holly, — -junipers,  and  cypresses,  and  yeu's; 
The  soil  i^.  damp  ;  the  air  is  chill ;  night  cometh  on  apace  : 
Speed  to  the  portal,  traveller, — lo,  there  is  a  moon. 
With  smiling  light  to  guide  thee  safely  through  the  dreadful  shade : 


OF  DEATH.  193 

Hark, — that  hollow  knock,-ibcho]d,  the  warder  openeth, 

The  gate  is  gaping,  and  for  thee  ; — those  are  the  jaws  of  Death ! 


OF  DEATH. 

Keep  silence,  daughter  of  frivoliiy, — for  Death  is  in  that  chamber! 

Startle  not  with  echoing  sound  the  strangely  solemn  peace. 

Death  is  here  in  spirit,  watclmr  of  a  marble  corpse, — 

That  eye  is  fixed,  that  heart  is  still, — how  dreadful  in  its  stillness ! 

Death,  new  tenant  of  the  house,  pervadeth  all  the  fabric ; 

He  waiteth  at  tlic  head,  and  he  stanueth  at  the  feet,  and  hideth  in  the 

caverns  of  the  breast ; 
Death,  subtle  leech,  lioLh  anatomized  soul  from  bod}'-, 
Dissecting  well  in  every  nerve  its  spirit  from  its  substance : 
Death,  rigid  lord,  hath  claimed  the  heriot  clay, 
While  joyously  tlie  youthful  soul  hath  gone  to  tike  his  heritage; 
Death,  cold  usurer,  hath  seized  liis  bonded  debtor ; 
Death,  savage  despot,  hath  caught  his  forfeit  serf; 
Death,  blind  foe,  wreaketh  petty  vengeance  on  the  flesh ; 
Death,  fell  cannibal,  gloateth  on  his  victim. 
And  carrieth  it  with  him  to  the  grave,  that  dismal  banquet-hall, 
Where  in  foul  state  the  Royal  Goui  lioldeth  secret  orgies. 

Hide  it  up,  hide  it  u.p,  draw  the  decent  curt;iin  : 

Hence  !  curious  fool,  and  pry  not  on  corruption  : 

For  the  fearful  mysteries  of  change  are  being  there  enacted,  . 

And  many  actors  [ilay  their  part  on  that  small  stage,  the  tomb. 

Iieave  the  clay,  that  leprous  thing,  touch  not  the  fleshly  garment : 

Dust  to  dust,  it  mingleth  well  among  the  sacred  soil : 

It  is  scattered  by  the  winds,  it  is  wafted  by  the  waves,  it  mixeth  with  herbs 

and  cattle. 
But  God  hath  watched  those  morsels,  and  hath  guided  them  in  care : 
Each  waiting  soul  must  cbiim  bis  own,  when  the  archangel  soundeth, 
And  all  the  fields,  and  all  the  hills,  shall  move  a  m.x«s  of  lire ; 
Bodies  numberless,  crowding  on  the  land,  and  coveiing  tlie  trampled  sea, 


i;)4  provf;rbial  philosophy. 

Darkening  th?  air  procipit-ito,  and  gathered  scatheless  from  the  fire  ; 
The  Himalayan  peaks  shall  yield  their  charge,  and  the  desolate  steppes  of 

Siberia, 
The  Maelstrom  dipengulf  its  spoil,  and  the  iceberg  manumit  its  captive: 
All  shall  teem  with  life,  the  converging  fragments  of  humanity, 
Till  every  conscious  essence  greet  his  individual  frame  ; 
For  in  some  dignified  similitude,  alike,  yet  different  in  glory, 
This  body  shall  be  shaped  anew,  fit  dwelling  for  the  soul : 
The  hovel  hath  grown  to  a  palace,  the  bulb  hath  burst  into  the  flower, 
Matter  hath  put  on  incorruption,  and  is  at  peace  with  spirit. 

Amen, — and  so  it  shall  be  : — hut  now,  the  scene  is  drear, — 

Yea,  though  promises  and  hope  strive  to  cheat  its  sadness  ; 

Full  of  grief,  though  faith  herself  is  strong  to  speed  the  soul, 

For  the  partner  of  its  toil  is  left  behind  to  endure  an  ordeal  of  change. 

Dear  partner,  dear  and  frail,  my  loved  though  humble  home, — 

Should  I  cast  thee  ofl:'  without  a  pang,  as  a  garment  flung  .-^side  ? 

Many  years,  for  joy  and  sorrow,  have  I  dwelt  in  thee, 

How  shall  I  be  reckless  of  thy  weal,  nor  hope  for  thy  perfection  ? 

This  also,  He  that  lent  thee  for  my  uses  in  mortality. 

Shall  well  fulfill  with  boundless  praise  on  that  returning  day. 

Behold,  thou  shalt  be  glorified  ;  thou,  mine  abject  friend, — 

And  should  I  meanly  scorn  thy  state,  until  it  rise  to  greatness  ? 

Far  be  it,  O  my  soul,  from  thine  expectant  essence, 

To  be  heedless,  if  indignity  or  folly  desecrate  those  thine  ashes : 

Keep  them  safe  with  careful  love  ;  and  let  the  mound  be  holy ; 

And,  thou  that  passest  by,  revere  the  waiting  dead. 

Naples  sitteth  by  the  sea,  keystone  of  an  arch  of  azure, 

Crowned  by  consenting  nation-^  peerless  queen  of  gayety  ; 

She  laugheth  at  the  wrath  of  Ocean,  she  mocketh  the  fury  of  Vesuvius, 

She  spurneth  disease  and  misery  and  famine,  that  crowd  her  sunny  street: 

The  giddy  dance,  the  merry  song,  the  festal  glad  procession. 

The  noonday  slumber  and  the  midnight  serenade, — all  tlieso  make  up  her 

Life; 
Her  Life  ?— and  what  her  Death  ?— look  we  to  the  end  of  life- 
Solon,  and  Tellus  the  Athenian,  wisely  have  j'e  pointed  to  the  grave. 

For  behold  yon  dreary  precinct,— those  hundreds  of  stone  wells, (") 

A  pit  for  a  day,  a  pit  for  a  day,— a  pit  to  be  sealed  for  a  year : 


OF  DEATH.  19$ 

And  in  the  gloom  of  night,  they  raised  the  y^ar-closed  Hd, — 
Look  in, — for  gnawing  lime  hath  half  consumed  the  carcasses  ; 
Thii?,  they  hurl  the  daily  dead  into  that  horrible  pit, 
The  dead  that  only  died  this  day, — as  unconsidered  offal ! 
Tlicre.  a  stfirk  white  heap,  unwept,  unloved,  uncared  for. 
Old  men  and  maidens,  young  men  and  infants,  mingle  in  hideous  corrup- 
tion : 
Fling  in  the  gnawing  lime, — seal  up  the  charnel  for  a  year ; 
For  lo,  a  morrow's  dawn  hath  tinged  the  mountain  summit. 
O  fair  false  city,  thou  gay  and  gilded  harlot. 
Woe,  for  thy  wanton  heart ;  woe,  for  thy  wicked  hardness : 
Woe  unto  thee,  that  the  lightsomeness  of  Life,  beneath  Italian  suns, 
Should  meet  tlie  solemnity  of  Death  in  a  sepulchre  so  foul  and  fearful. 

For  that,  even  to  the  best,  tlie  wise  and  pure  and  pious, 

Death,  repulsive  king,  thine  iron  rule  is  terrible : 

Yea,  and  even  at  the  best,  in  company  of  buried  kindred, 

With  hallowing  rites,  and  friendly  tears,  and  the  dear  old  country  church, 

Death,  cold  and  lonely,  thy  frigid  face  is  hateful, 

The  bravest  look  on  thee  with  dread,  the  liumblest  curse  thy  coming. 

Still,  ye  unwise  among  mankind,  your  foolishness  ha'h  added  fears; 

The  crowded  cemetery,  the  catacomb  of  bones,  the  pestilential  vault, 

Witli  flincy's  gliding  ghost  at  eve,  her  moans  and  flaky  footfalls, 

And  the  gibbering  train  of  terror  to  fright  your  coward  hearts. 

We  speak  not  here  of  sin,  nor  the  phantoms  of  a  bloody  conscience, 

Nor  of  solaces,  and  merciful  pardon ;  we  heed  but  the  inevitable  grave ; 

The  grave,  that  wage  of  guilt,  that  due  return  to  dust. 

The  grave,  that  goal  of  earth,  and  starting-post  for  heaven. 

Plant  it  with  laurels,  sprinkle  it  willi  li'.ies,  set  it  upon  yonder  dewy  hill, 

Midst  holy  prayers,  and  generous  grief,  and  consecrating  blessings: 

liCt  Soplioclcs  sleep  among  liis  ivy,  grcrn  pereiuiial  garland-,  (") 

Let  olives  shade  their  Virgil,  and  roses  bloom  above  Coriimc; 

To  his  foster-mother.  Ocean,  intrust  the  mariner  in  hope, 

The  warrior's  spirit,  let  it  rise  on  high,  from  the  flaming  fragrant  pyre. 

But  heap  not  coffins  and  corruption  to  infect  the  mass  of  living. 

Nor  steal  from  odious  realities  the  charitable  poetry  of  Deatli : 

It  is  wise  to  gild  uncomeliness,  it  is  wise  to  mask  necessity, 

It  is  wise  from  cheerful  sights  and  sounds  to  draw  tJieir  gentle  uscB ; 


196  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Hide  the  fact«,  the  bitter  facts,  the  foul  and  fearful  facts, 

Tend  the  body  well  in  hope,  this  were  praise  and  wisdom  ; 

But  to  plun^ro  in  gloom  the  parting  soul,  that  hath  loved  its  clay  tenemeut 
so  long, 

This  were  vanity  and  folly,  the  counsel  of  moroseness  and  despair. 

Not  thus  the  S:.ythian  of  old  time  welcomed  Death  with  songs ; 

Not  thus  the  shrewd  Egyptian  decorated  Death  with  braveries  ; 

Not  thus  on  his  funeral  tower  sleepeth  the  sun-worshipping  Parsee ; 

Not  thus  the  Moslem  saint  lieth  in  his  arabesque  mausoleum  ; 

Not  thus  the  wild  red  Indian,  hunter  of  the  far  Missouri, 

In  flowering  trees  hath  nested  up  his  forest-loving  ancestry  ;  ('^) 

Not  thus  the  Switzer  mountaineer  scattereth  ribboned  garlands 

About  the  rustic  cross  that  halloweth  the  bed  of  his  beloved  ; 

Not  thus  the  vi  lagc  maiden  wisheth  she  may  die  in  spring. 

With  store  of  \iolets  and  cowslips  to  be  sprinkled  on  her  snow-white 
^^h^ond  ; 

Not  thus  the  dying  poet  isketh  a  cheerful  grave, — 

Lay  him  in  the  sunshine,  friends,  nor  sorrow  that  a  Christian  hath  de- 
parted ! 

Yea,  it  is  the  poetry  of  Death,  an  Orpheus  gladdening  Hades, 

To  care  with  mindful  love  for  all  so  dear — and  dead  ; 

To  think  of  thorn  in  hope,  to  look  for  them  in  joy,  and — but  for  its  simple 
vanity, — 

To  pray  with  all  the  earnestness  of  nature  for  souls  who  cannot  change. 

For  the  tree  is  felled,  and  boughed,  and  bare,  and  the  Measurer  standeth 
with  his  line ; 

The  chance  is  gone  for  ever,  and  is  past  the  roach  of  prayer  : 

For  men  and  angels,  good  and  ill,  have  rendered  all  their  witness  ; 

Tiie  trial  is  over,  the  jury  are  g<^ne  in,  and  none  can  nov.'  be  heard  ; 

Weil  are  they  agreed  upon  the  verdict,  just,  and  fixed,  and  final, 

And  the  sentence  showeth  clear  before  the  Judge  hath  spoken  : 

Now — while  resting  matter  is  at  peace  within  the  tomb. 

The  conscious  spirit  watcheth  in  unspeakable  suspense  ; 

Racked  with  a  fearful  looking  forward,  or  blissfully  feeding  on  the  fore- 
taste, 

Waiting  souls  in  eager  expectation  pass  the  solemn  inter\-al ; 

They  slumber  not  in  death,  but  awaken,  quickened  to  the  terror  of  tho 
judgment ; 


OF  DEATH.  197 

They  lie  not  insensate  amonjj  darkness,  but  exult,  looking  to  the  light. 

Idiocy,  brightening  on  the  instant,  when  that  veil  is  torn, 

Is  grateful  that  his  torpor  here  hath  left  him  as  an  innocent  ; 

The  young  child,  stricken  as  he  played,  and  guileless  babes  unborn, 

Fr?ed  from  fetters  of  the  flesh,  burst  into  mind  immediate : 

Ma']n3ss  judgeth  wisely,  and  the  visions  of  the  lunatic  are  gone, 

And  each  hasteneth  to  praise  the  mercy  that  made  him  irresponsible. 

For  soul  is  one,  though  manifold  in  act,  working  the  machinery  of  brain, 

Reason,  fancy,  conscience,  passion,  are  but  varying  phases  ; 

If,  in  God's  wise  purpose,  the  machine  were  shattered  or  confused, 

Still  is  soul  the  same,  though  it  exhibit  with  a  difference  : 

Therefore,  dissipate  the  brain,  and  sot  its  inmate  free, 

Behold,  the  maniacs  and  embryos  stand  in  their  place  intelligent. 

Tiiat  solvent  eateth  away  all  dross,  leaving  the  gold  intact : 

Matter  lingereth  in  the  retort,  spirit  hath  llown  to  the  receiver : 

And  lo,  that  recipient  of  the  spirits,  it  is  some  aerial  world. 

An  oasis  midway  on  the  desert  space,  separating  earth  from  heaven, 

A  prison-house  for  essences  incorporate,  a  limbus  vague  and  wild, 

Taitarus  for  evil,  and  Paradise  for  good,  that  intermediate  Hades. 

O  Death,  what  art  thou  ?  a  Lawgiver  that  never  altereth. 
Fixing  the  consummating  seal,  whereby  the  deeds  of  life  become  estab- 
lished ; 
O  Death,  what  art  thou  ?  a  stern  and  silent  uslicr. 
Leading  to  the  judgment  for  Eternity,  after  the  trial  scene  of  time  ; 
O  Death,  what  art  thou  ?  an  husbandman,  that  reapcth  always. 
Out  of  season,  as  in  season,  with  the  sickle  in  his  hand  : 
O  Death,  what  art  thou  ?  the  shadow  unto  every  substance. 
In  the  bower  as  in  the  battle,  haunting  night  and  day : 
O  Death,  what  art  thou  ?  nurse  of  dreamless  slumbers 
Freshening  the  fevered  flesh  to  a  wakefulness  eternal : 
O  Death,  what  art  thou  ?  strange  and  solenm  Alchymist, 
Elaborating  life's  elixir  from  these  clayey  crucibles  : 
O  Death,  what  art  thou  ?  antitype  of  nature's  marvels, 
The  seed  and  dormant  chrysalis  bursting  into  energy  and  glory. 
Thou  calm,  safe  anchorage  for  the  shattered  hulls  of  men, — 
Thou  spot  of  gelid  shade,  after  the  hot-breathed  desert, — 
Thou  silent  waiting-hall,  where  Adam  meeteth  with  his  children, — 
How  full  of  dread,  how  full  of  hope,  loomcth  inevitable  Death : 


198  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Of  droad,  for  all  have  sinned  ;  of  hope,  for  One  hath  saved  ; 
The  dread  is  drowned  in  joy,  the  hope  is  filled  with  immortality 
— Pass  along,  pilgrim  of  life,  go  to  thy  grave  unfoaring, 
The  terrors  are  but  shadows  now  that  haunt  the  vale  of  Death. 


OF    IMMORTALITY. 

Gird  up  thy  mind  to  contemplation,  trembling  inhabitant  of  earth  : 
Tenant  of  a  hovel  for  a  day, — thou  art  heir  of  tlie  universe  for  ever ! 
For,  neither  congealing  of  the  grave,  nor  gulfing  waters  of  :he  firmament, 
Nor  expansive  airs  of  heaven,  nor  dissipativc  fires  of  Gehennn, 
Nor  rust  of  rest,  nor  wear,  nor  waste,  nor  loss,  nor  chance,  nor  change, 
Shiill  avail  to  quench  or  overwhelm  the  spark  of  soul  within  thee ! 

Thou  art  an  imperishable  leaf  on  the  evergreen  bay-!rc3  of  Existence ; 

A  word  from  Wisdom's  mouth,  that  catmot  bs  unspoken ; 

A  ray  of  Love's  own  light :  a  drop  in  Mercy's  sea ; 

A  creature,  marvellous  and  fearful,  begotten  by  the  fiat  of  Omnipotence. 

I,  that  sp3ak  in  weakness,  and  ye,  that  hear  in  charity, 

Slia'l  not  cease  to  live  and  feel,  though  flesh  must  see  corruption  ; 

For  the  prison-gates  of  matter  shall  be  broken,  and  the  shackled  soul  go 

free, 
Free,  for  good  or  ill,  to  satisfy  its  appetence  for  ever: 
For  ever, — dreadful  doom,  to  be  hurried  on  eternally  to  evil, — 
For  ever, — happy  fate,  to  ripen  into  perfectness — for  ever  ! 

And  is  there  a  thought  within  thy  heart,  O  slave  of  sin  and  fear, 
A  black  and  harmAil  hope,  that  erring  spirit  dieth  ! 
That  primal  disobedience  hath  ensured  the  death  of  soul. 
And  separate  evil  sealed  it  thine — thy  curse.  Annihilation? 
Hoed  thou  this  ;  there  is  a  Sacrifice  ;  the  I\Iakcr  is  Redeemer  of  his  crea- 
ture ; 
Freely  unto  each,  universally  to  all,  is  restored  the  privilege  of  essence : 
Whether  unto  grace  or  guilt,  all  must  live  through  Him, 
Live  in  vital  joy,  or  live  in  dying  woe : 
Death  in  Adam,  life  in  Christ ;  the  curse  hung  upon  the  cross  : 


OF  IMMORTALITY.  19> 

Who  art  thou  that  heedest  of  redemption,  as  narrower  than  the  fall  ? 

All  were  dead, — He  died  for  all ;  that  livini,',  they  might  love  ; 

If  living  souls  withhold  their  love, — still,  He  hath  died  for  them. 

Eve  stole  the  knowledge  ;  Christ  gave  the  life  : 

Knowledge  and  life  are  the  perquisites  of  soul,  the  privilege  of  man: 

Mercy  stepped  between,  and  stayed  the  double  theft ; 

God  gave  ;  and  giving,  bought ;  and  buying,  asketh  love  : 

And  in  such  asking  rendereth  bliss,  to  all  that  hear  and  answer, 

For  love  with  life  is  heaven  ;  and  life  un'oving,  hell. 

Creature  of  God,  his  will  is  for  thy  weal,  eternally  progressing'; 

Fear  not  to  trust  a  Maker's  love,  nor  a  Saviour's  rinsom : 

He  drank  for  all, — for  thee  and  me, — the  poison  of  our  deeds  ; 

We  shall  not  die,  but  live, — and  of  his  grace,  we  love. 

For  in  the  mysteries  of  Mercy,  the  One  fore-knowing  Spirit 

Oiitstrippeth  reason's  halting  choice,  and  winneth  men  to  Him : 

Who  shall  sound  tiie  depths  ?  who  shall  reach  the  heights  ? 

Freedom,  in  the  gyves  of  fate ;  and  sovereignty,  reconciled  with  justice. 

If  then,  as  annihilate  by  sin,  the  soul  was  ever  forfeit. 

Godhead  paid  the  mighty  price,  the  pledge  hath  been  redeemed ; 

He,  from  the  waters  of  Oblivion  raised  the  drowning  race, 

Lifting  them  even  to  Himself,  the  baseless  Rock  of  Ages. 

Nnn^  can  escape  from  Adam's  guilt,  or  second  Adam's  guerdon: 

Sin  and  death  are  thine  ;  thine  also  is  interminable  being : 

Let  it  be  even  as  thou  wilt,  stiU  are  we  ransomed  from  nonentity, 

The  worlds  of  bli^s  and  woe  are  peopled  with  immortals  : 

And  ruin  is  thy  blame  ;  for  thou,  the  worst,  art  free 

To  take  from  Heaven  the  grace  of  love,  as  the  gift  of  life  : 

Yet  is  not  remedy  thy  praise ;  for  thou,  the  best,  art  bound 

In  self,  and  sin,  and  darkling  sloth,  until  He  break  the  chain: 

None  can  tell,  without  a  struggle,  if  that  chain  be  broken  ; 

Strive  to-dav, — one  eflbrt  more  m-iy  prove  that  thou  art  free ! 

Here  is  faith  and  prayer,  here  is  the  Grace  and  the  Atonement, 

Here  is  the  creature  feeling  for  its  God,  and  the  prodigal  returning  to  his 

Father. 
But,  behold,  his  reasonable  children,  standing  in  just  probation, 
With  ears  to  hear,  neglect ;  with  eyes  to  see,  refuse : 
They  will  not  have  the  blessing  with  the  life,  tho  blessing  that  cnricheth 

immortality ; 


200  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

And  look  for  pleasures  out  of  God,  for  heaven  in  life  alone  : 
So  they  snatcli  that  awful  prize,  existence  void  of  love, 
And  in  their  darkening  exile  make  a  needful  hell  of  self. 

Therefore  fear,  thou  sinner,  lest  the  huge  blessin^^.  Immortality, 

Be  blighted  in  thine  evil  to  a  curse, — it  were  better  ho  had  not  been  bom  ; 

Therefore  hope,  thon  saint,  for  the  gift  of  immortality  is  free  ; 

Take  and  live,  and  live  in  love  ;  fear  not,  tliou  art  redeemed  ! 

The  happy  life,  that  height  of  hope,  the  knowledge  of  all  good, 

Thi:!  is  the  blessing  on  obedience,  obedience  the  child  of  faith  : 

The  miserable  hfe,  that  depth  of  all  despair,  the  knowledge  of  all  evil, 

This  is  the  curse  upon  impenitence,  impenitence  that  sprung  of  unbelief. 

God.  from  a  beautiful  necessity,  is  Love  in  all  he  dooth, 

Love,  a  brilliant  fire,  to  gladden  or  consume  : 

The  wicked  work  their  woe  by  looking  upon  love,  and  hating  it : 

The  righteous  find  their  joys  in  yearning  on  its  loveliness  for  ever. 

Who  shall  imagine  Immortality,  or  picture  its  illimitable  prospect  ? 
How  feebly  can  a  faltering  tongue  express  the  vast  idea  ! 
For  consider  the  primeval  woods  that  bristle  over  broad  Australia, 
And  count  their  autumn  leaves,  millions  multiplied  by  millions  ; 
Thence  look  up  to  a  moonless  sky  from  a  sleeping  isle  of  the  JEgxan, 
And  add  to  those  leaves  yon  starry  host,  sparkling  on  the  midnight,  num- 
berless ; 
Thence  traverse  an  Arabia,  some  continent  of  eddying  sand, 
Gather  each  grain,  let  none  escape,  add  them  to  the  leaves  and  to  the  stars, 
Afterwards  gaze  upon  the  sea,  the  thou.yand  leagues  of  an  Atlantic, 
Take  drop  by  drop,  and  add  their  sum  to  the  grains,  and  leaves,  and  stars ; 
The  drops  of  ocean,  the  desert  sands,  the  leaves,  cand  stars  innumerable, 
(Albeit,  in  that  multitude  of  multitudes,  each  small  unit  were  an  age,) 
All  might  reckon  for  an  instant,  a  transient  flash  of  Time, 
Compared  with  this  intolerable  blaze,  the  measureless  enduring  of  Eter- 
nity ! 

O  grandest  gift  of  the  Creator, — O  largess  worthy  of  a  God, — 
Who  shall  grasp  that  thrilling  thought,  life  and  joy  for  ever  ? 
For  the  sun  in  heaven's  heaven  is  Love  that  cannot  change. 
And  the  shining  of  that  sun  is  life,  to  all  beneath  its  beams  : 
Who  shall  arrest  it  in  the  firmament, — or  drag  it  from  its  sphere  ? 


OF  IMMORTALITY.    "  SDl 

Or  bid  its  beauty  smile  no  more,  but  be  extinct  for  over  ? 
Yea,  whcra  God  hat'i  given,  none  shall  take  away, 
Nor  builJ  np  limits  to  his  love,  nor  bid  his  bounty  cease ; 
Wide,  as  spacs  is  peopled,  endless  as  the  empire  of  heaven, 
The  river  of  the  water  of  life  lloweth  on  in  majesty  for  ever  ! 

Why  should  it  seem  a  thing  impossible  to  thee,  O  man  of  many  doubt?, 

That  God  shall  v»^ako  the  dead,  and  give  tliis  mortal  immortality  ? 

Is  it  that  such  riches  are  unsearchable,  the  bounty  too  profuse  ? 

And  yet  what  gift,  to  cease  or  change,  is  worthy  of  the  King  Almighty? 

For  rcmembar  the  moment  thou  art  not,  thou  m.ightest  as  well  not  have 

been  ; 
A  luillennitnn  and  an  hour  are  equal  in  llio  gulf  of  that  desolate  abyss, 

anniiiilation  : 
If  Adam  had  existed  till  to-day,  and  to-day  had  peris'ied  utterly, 
What  wore  his  jjain  in  the  length  of  a  life,  that  hath  passed  away  for 

ever  ? 
No  tribute  of  thanks  can  exhale  from  the  empty  censer  of  nonentity  ; 
Thy  Giver,  with  his  gift  reclaimed,  is  mulcted  of  all  praise. 

Tell  me,  ye  that  strive  in  vain  to  cramp  and  dwarf  the  soul, 
Wiierefore  should  it  cease  to  be,  and  when  shall  essence  die? 
It  is, — and  thcrefora  shall  be, — till  just  obstacle  opposeth  : 
Show  no  cause  for  change,  and  reason  Icancth  to  continuance. 
The  body  verily  shall  change ;  this  curious  house  we  live  in 
Never  had  continuing  stay,  but  changeth  every  instant : 
But  the  spiritual  tenant  of  the  house  abidcth  in  unalterable  consciousness; 
He  may  fly  to  many  lands,  but  cannot  flee  himself: 
The  soil  wherein  ye  drop  the  seed,  by  suns  or  rains  may  vary  : 
But  the  seed  is  the  same  ;  iinA  .soul  is  the  seed  ;  and  flesh  but  its  anchor- 
age to  cartli. 

The  machine  may  bo  broken,  and  rust  corrode  the  springs  :  but  can  rust 

feed  on  motion  ? 
"NYorms  may  batten  on  the  brain  :  but  can  worms  gnaw  the  mind  ? 
Dynamics  are,  and  dwell  apart,  though  matter  be  not  made ; 
Spirit  is,  and  can  bo  .separate,  though  a  body  were  not : 
Power  is  one,  be  it  lever,  screw,  or  wedge ;  but  it  nccdeth  thcuc  for  iJlus* 

tration : 


202  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPIIY. 

Mind  is  one,  bo  it  casual  or  ideal ;  but  it  is  sliown  in  these. 

Th3  creature  is  constructed  individual,  for  trial  of  his  reasonable  will, 

Clay  and  soul  commingled  wisely,  mingled,  not  confused  : 

As  power  is  not  in  the  s;)ring,  till  somewhat  give  it  action, 

So  until  spirit  be  infused,  iho  organism  lietli  inergetic. 

Or  shalt  thou  say  that  mind  is  tiic  delicate  offspring  of  matter, 

The  bright  consummate  iiower  that  must  perish  with  its  leaf? 

Go  to  :  doth  weiglit  breed  lightness  .'  is  freedom  the  atmosphere  of  prisons  ? 

When  did  tlie  body  elevate,  expand,  and  bud  the  mind  ? 

Jjo,  a  red-hot  cinder  flung  from  tlie  furnaces  of  ^Etna, — 

There  is  fire  in  that  ash  ;  but  did  the  pumice  make  it  ? 

Nay,  cold  clod,  never  canst  thou  generate  a  flame, 

Nay,  most  ex  juisite  machinery,  nevermore  elaborate  a  mind  ; 

Rather  do  ye  battle  and  contend,  opposite  the  on3  to  the  other ; 

Till  God  shall  stop  tlu  strife,  and  call  tlie  body  colleague. 

Garment  of  flesh,  and  art  thou  then  a  vest,  so  tinged  with  subtle  poison, 
(Maddening  tunic  of  the  centaur.)  as  to  kill  the  soul  ? 
Not  so  :  fruit  of  disobedience,  rot  in  dissolution,  as  thou  must, — • 
The  seed  is  in  the  core,  its  germ  is  safe,  and  life  is  in  that  germ : 
Moreover,  Marah  shall  be  sweetened  ;  and  a  Good  Phy.-ician 
Yet  shall  heal  those  gangrene  wounds,  the  spotted  pliigue  of  sin : 
He,  through  worldly  trials,  and  the  separative  cleansing  of  the  grave, 
Shall  change  its  corruptible  to  glory,  and  wash  thr»t  garment  white. 

Still,  is  the  whisper  in  thy  heart,  that  oftenest  the  be  I  of  death 

Seemcth  but  a  sluggish  ebb,  of  sinking  soul  and  body  ? 

Mind  dwelling  long-time  sensual  in  the  chambers  of  the  flesh. 

May  slumber  on  in  conscious  sloth,  and  wilfully  be  dulled  : 

]3ut  is  it  therefore  nigh  to  dissolution,  even  as  the  body  of  tliis  death  ? 

Ask  the  stricken  conscience,  gasping  out  its  terrors  ; 

Ask  the  dying  miser,  loth  to  leave  his  gold ; 

Ask  the  widowed  poor,  confiding  her  fatherless  to  strangers ; 

Ask  the  rnartyr-rnaid,  a  broken  reed  so  strong. 

That  weak  and  tortured  framC;  with  triumph  on  its  brow  ! — 

O  thou  gainsay er,  the  finger  of  disease  may  seem  to  reach  the  soul, 

But  it  is  a  spiritual  touch,  sympathy  with  that  which  aileth  : 

Pain  or  fear  may  dislocate  and  shatter  this  delicate  machinery  of  nerves ; 


OF  IMMORTALITY.  203 

But  madness  proveth  mind :  the  iiiult  is  in  the  engin?,  not  the  impetus : 

Dissipate  tlie  mists  of  matter,  lo,  the  soul  is  clear : 

Timoiir's  cage  bowed  it  in  the  dust,  but  now  it  goeth  forth  a  freeman. 

Yet  more,  there  is  reason  in  moralities,  thiit  tlie  soul  must  live ; 

If  God  be  king  in  heaven,  or  have  care  for  earth. 

Can  wickedness  have  triumphed  with  impunity,  or  virtue  toiled  unseen  ? 

Shall  cruelty  toit.ire  unavenged,  and  the  innocent  complain  unheard  ? 

]s  there  no  recompense  for  woe, — must  there   be  no  other  world   for 

justice, — 
No  hope  in  setting  suns  of  good,  nor  terror  for  the  evil  at  its  zenith  ? 
How  shall  ye  make  answer  unto  this,  a  just  God  prospering  iniquity. 
Wisdom  encouraging  the  foolish,  and  Goodness  abetting  the  depraved  ? 

Yet  again  ;  mine  erring  brother,  i^ar.lon  this  abundance  of  my  speech, 

Yield  me  thy  candour  and  thy  charity,  listening  with  a  welcome  : 

For,  even  now,  a  thousand  thoughts  arc  trooping  to  my  theme ; 

()  mighty  theme,  O  feeble  thoughts  !     Alas,  who  is  sufficient  ? 

Judge  not  so  liigh  a  cause  by  these  poor  words  alone. 

For  lo,  the  advocate  hath  little  skill :  pardon,  and  pass  on  : 

Ccr:ify  thyself  with  surer  proofs  ;  fledge  thine  own  mind  for  flight ; 

Think,  and  pray  ;  those  better  proofs  shall  follow  on  with  holy  aspiration. 

Yet,  in  my  humbler  grade  to  help  thy  weal  and  comfort, 

Thy  weal  for  this  and  higher  worlds,  and  comfort  in  thy  sickness, 

Suffer  the  multitude  of  fancies,  walking  with  me  still  in  love ; 

But  tread  in  fear,  it  is  holy  ground, — remember  Immortality  ! 

Wilt  thou  argue  from  infirmities,  thine  abject  evil  state, 

As  how  should  stricken  wretched  man  indt-ed  exist  for  ever : 

The  brutal  and  besotted,  the  savage  and  the  slave,  the  sucking  infant  and 
the  idiot. 

The  mass  of  mean  and  coumion  minds,  and  all  to  be  immortal  ? 

Consider  every  beginning,  hosv  small  it  is  and  feeble  : 

Ganges,  and  the  rolling  Mississippi,  sprung  of  brooks  among  the  moun- 
tains ; 

That  yew-tree  of  a  thousand  years  was  once  a  little  seed  ; 

And  Nero's  marble  Rome,  a  shepherd's  mud-built  hovel : 

A  speck  is  on  the  tropic  sky,  and  it  groweth  to  the  terrible  tornado ; 

An  apple,  all  too  fair  to  see,  destroyed  a  world  of  souls : 

9* 


234  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

A  tender  babe  is  born, — it  is  AUila,  scourge  of  the  nations  ! 
A  seeming  malefactor  dicth, — it  is  Jesus,  the  Saviour  of  men ! 

And  hive  not  in  thy  tlioiights  tlie  vain  and  Vv-ordy  notion, 
That  nothing  which  was  bom  in  time,  can  tire  out  the  footsteps  of  Infinity. 
Reckon  up  a  sum  in  numbers  ;  where  shall  jirogrfssion  stop  ? 
The  starting-post  is  definite  and  fixed,  butv/hat  is  the  goal  of  numeration  ? 
So  begin  upon  a  moment,  and  when  shall  being  en  1  ? 
Souls  emanate  from  God,  to  travel  with  him  equally  for  ever. 
Moreover,  thou  that  objectost  the  unenterable  circle  of  eternity. 
That  none  but  He  from  everlasting  can  endure,  as  to  a  future  everlasting. 
Consider,  may  it  bo  impossible  that  creatures  w-ers  counted  in  their  Maker, 
And  so,  that  the  confines  of  eternity  are  filled  by  God  alone  ? 
Tru:it  not  thy  soul  upon  a  fancy  :  v.'ho  would  freight  a  bubble  with  a  dia- 
mond. 
And  launch  that  priceless  gem  on  the  boiling  rapids  of  a  cataract  ? 

If  then  we  perish  not  at  death,  but  walk  in  spirit  through  the  darkness, 

Waiting  for  a  mansion  incorruptible,  whereof  this  body  is  the  seed, 

Tell  me,  when  shall  be  the  pericxl  ?  time  and  its  ordeals  are  done  ; 

The  storms  are  passed,  tlie  night  is  at  an  end,  behold  the  Sabbath  morning. 

Is  Death  to  be  connueror  again,  and  claim  once  more  the  victory, — 

Can  the  enemy's  corpse  aw-aken  into  life,  and  bruise  the  Champion's  head  ? 

Evil,  terrible  ensample,  that  foil  to  the  attributes  of  Good, 

Is  banished  to  its  own  black  world,  weeded  out  of  earth  and  heaven : 

Shall  that  great  gulf  be  ])asscd,  and  sin  be  sown  again  ? — 

We  know  but  this,  the  book  of  truth  proclaimeth  gladly,  Never  ! 

There  remaineth  the  will  of  our  God  :  when  ho  rejwnteth  of  his  creature, 

Made  by  self-suggested  mercy,  ransomed  by  self-sacrificing  jtistice, 

When   Truth,   that   swore  unto   his   neighbour,  disapjx/mteth   him,   and 

cleaveth  to  a  lie, — 
When  the  cormsels  of  Wisdom  are  confounded,  and   Love  warretli  with 

itself, 
When  the  Unchangeable  is  changed,  and  the  arm  of  Onniijx.tence  is 

broken, 
Then,— thy  quenchless  soul  shall  have  reached  tiie  goal  of  its  existence. 

But  it  seemeth  to  thy  jiotions  of  the  merciful  and  just,  a  false  and  fearfnl 
thing, 


OF  IMMORTALITY,  205 

To  lay  such  a  burden  upon  tiino,  that  eternity  be  built  on  its  foundation : 

As  if  so  casuo.1  good  or  ill  should  colour  all  the  future, 

And  the  vanity  of  accident,  or  sternness  of  necessity,  save  or  v/reck  a  soul. 

Were  it  casual,  vain,  or  stern,  this  might  pass  for  truth  : 

Ijut  all  things  are  raarslialled  liy  Design,  and  carefully  tended  by  Benevo- 
lence. 

O  man,  t!iy  Judge  is  righteous, — noting,  remembering,  and  weighing ; 

Want,  ignorance,  diversities  of  state,  are  cast  into  tlie  balance  of  advantage : 

The  poisonous  example  of  a  parent  a.=keth  for  allowance  in  a  child  ; 

Care,  diseases,  toilf;,  and  fi^ailties, — all  things  are  considered. 

Aud  again,  a  mysterious  Omniscience  knowcth  the  spirits  that  are  his, 

While  the  dciic;ite  tissues  of  Event  are  woven  by  the  lingers  of  Ubiquity. 

Should  Providence  bo  taken  by  surprise  from  the  possible  impinging  of  an 
accid?nt. 

One  fortuitous  grain  might  dislocate  the  bandod  universe : 

The  merest  seeming  trifle  is  ordered  as  the  morning  light ; 

And  he  tiiat  rideth  on  tlie  hurricane,  is  pilot  of  the  bubble  on  the  breaker. 

Once  more,  consider  Matter, — how  small  a  thing  is  father  to  ihe  grcatcs': 

Thou  that  lightly  liast  regarded  the  results  of  so  called  acciJen'. 

A  blade  of  gi-ass  took  fire  in  the  sun, — and  the  pniiries  are  burnt  to  the 

horir.'U) : 
A    grain  of  sand  may  blind  the  eye,  and  niaddcn  the  brain  to  murder: 
A  careful  lly  deposited  its  egg  in  the  swelling  hud  of  an  acrrn, — 
The  sapling  grew, — cankrous  and  gnarled, — it  is  yondor  holbw  oak  : 
A  child  touched  a  spring,  and  the  spring  closed  a  valve,  said  the  labouring 

engine  burst, — 
A  thousand  lives  were  in  that  ship, — wrecked  by  an  infant's  linger ! 
iSiiall  nature  preach  in  vain  ? — thy  casualty,  guided  in  its  orbit, 
Though  less  than  a  mote  upon  the  sunbeam,  saileth  in  a  fleet  of  wcr'ds ; 
That  trivial  cause,  watered  and  observed  of  the  Husbandman  day  by  day. 
In  calm  undeviating  strength  doth  work  its  large  effect. 
Thus,  in  the  pettiness  of  life  note,  tinju  .-eeds  of  grandeur. 
And  watch  the  hour-glass  of  Time  with  the  eyc.^  of  an  hrir  of  Immortality. 

There  still  Iw  clouds  of  witnesses, — if  thou  art  not  weary  of  my  speech, — 
Flocks  of  thoughts  adding  lustre  to  the  light,  and  pointing  on  to  Life. 
For  reflect  how  Truth  and  Goodness,  well  and  wisely  put, 
Commend  themselves  to  everj'  mind  with  wondrous  intuition : 


206  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Wliiit  is  this  ?  tlie  recognition  of  a  Kt^iiJ.ird,  unwritton,  natural,  uniform  ; 

Telling  of  one  common  source,  the  ro  jt  of  Good  and  True. 

And  if  tlius  present  soul  can  trace  descent  from  Deity, 

Behig,  as  it  standeth,  individual,  a  separate  reasonaijle  thing, 

Wiiat  should  hinder  that  its  hope  may  not  trace  gladly  forward, 

And,  in  astounding  parallel,  like  Enoch,  walk  with  God  ? 

Yoa,  t!ie  genealogy  of  soul,  that  vivifying  breath  of  a  Creator, 

Braat!),  no  transient  air,  but  essence,  energy,  and  reason, 

Is  looming  on  the  past,  and  shadowing  the  future,  sublimely  as  Mel- 

chi-edek  of  old. 
Having  not  beginning,  nor  end  of  days,  but  present  in  the  majesty  of  Peace  ! 

O  fdse  scholar,  credulous  in  vanities,  and  only  skeptical  of  truth, 

Wherefore  toil  to  cheat  thy  soul  of  its  birthright.  Immortality  ? 

Is  it  for  tliy  guilt  ?  He  pardoneth  :  is  it  for  thy  frailty  ?  He  will  help : 

Though  thou  fearest,  He  is  Love  ;  and  Mercy  shall  be  deeper  than  Despair; 

Ev.n  for  thy  full-blown  pride,  is  it  much  to  be  receiver  of  a  God  ? 

An\  lo,  thy  riglits,  He  made  thee  ;  thy  claims,  He  hatli  redeemed. 

Hath  the  fair  aspect  of  affection  no  beauty  that  thou  shouldst  desire  it  ? 

And  are  tliosc  sorrows  nothing  to  thee  that  passest  by  ? 

For  it  is  a  fact,  immutable,  that  God  hath  dwelt  in  Man  ? 

With  gentle,  generous  love  ennobling  while  He  bought  us. 

■What,  though  tliou  art  false,  ignorant,  weak,  and  daring, — 

Can  the  sun  be  quenched  in  heaven — or  only  Bolisarius  be  blind  ? 

But,  even  .stooping  to  thy  folly,  grant  all  these  hopes  are  vain  ; 

Stultify  reason,  wrestle  against  conscience,  and  wither  up  the  heart, 

Where  is  thy  vast  advantage  ? — I  have  all  that  thou  hast, 

The  buoyancy  of  life  as  strong,  and  term  of  days  no  shorter; 

My  cup  is  full  with  gladness, — my  griefs  are  not  more  galling: 

And  thus,  we  walk  together,  even  to  the  gates  of  death  : 

There,  (if  not  also  on  my  journey,  blessing  every  step, 

Gladdening  with  light,  and  quickening  v.-ith  love,  and  killing  all  my  cares.) 

There, — while  thou  art  quaihng,  or  sullenly  expecting  to  be  nothing, — 

There, — is  found  my  gain, — I  triumph,  where  thou  tremblest. 

Grant  all  my  solace  is  a  lie,  yet  it  is  a  fountain  of  dehght, 

A  spice  in  every  pleasure,  and  a  balm  for  every  pain : 

O  precious  wise  delusion,  scattering  both  mi.sery  and  sin, — 

O  vile  and  silly  truth,  depraving  while  it  curseth ! 


OF  IMMORTALITY.  207 

Darkling  child  of  knowledge,  couiniiine  with  Socrates  and  Cicero : 

They  had  no  prejudice  of  biith,  no  dull  parent-il  warpings; 

See,  those  lustrous  mind?  anticipate  thii  dawning  day, — 

Whilot  thou,  poor  mole,  art  burrowing  back  to  darkness  from  the  light. 

I  will  not  urge  a  revelation,  mercies,  miracles,  and  martyrs, 

But,  after  twice  a  thousand  years,  go  learn  thou  of  the  pagan; 

It  were  happier  and  wi.-er  even  among  fools,  to  cling  to  the  shadow  of  a 

!io|ie, 
Than,  in  the  company  of  sages,  to  win  the  substance  of  despair : 
But  here,  the  sages  hop?  ; — despair  is  with  the  fools, 
The  b-.ise  bad  hearts,  the  stolid  heads,  the  sensual,  and  the  selfish. 

And  wilt  th'ju,  sorry  scorner,  mock  the  phrase,  despair  ? 

Despair  for  those  who  die  and  live, — for  mo,  I  live  and  die ; 

What  have  I  to  do  with  dread  ?  my  taper  must  go  out  ? — 

I  n';rse  no  silly  hopes,  and  therefore  feci  no  fears : 

I  am  h:.s;:cning  to  an  End. — O  f ilse  and  feeble  answer : 

For  hope  is  in  thee  still,  and  fear, — a  racking  deep  anxiety 

Erring  brother,  listen  ;  and  tid-ce  thine  answer  from  the  ancienta  : 

Coa-;ider  every  end,  that  it  is  but  the  end  of  a  beginning. 

All  t' lings  work  in  circles :  weariness  induceth  unto  rest, 

Rest  invigoratcth  labour,  and  labour  causeth  weariness : 

War  produieth  peace,  and  peace  is  wanton  unto  war ; 

Light  dieth  into  darkness,  and  night  dawneth  into  day ; 

The  rotting  jungle  reeds  scatter  fertility  around  ; 

The  bufi"a!o's  dead  carcass  hath  rpuckened  life  in  millions ; 

The  end  of  toil  is  gain,  the  end  of  gain  is  pleasure, 

Pleasure  tendeth  unto  waste,  and  waste  conunandeth  toil. 

So,  is  death  an  end, — but  it  breedeth  an  infinite  beginning ; 

Limits  arc  for  time,  and  death  killed  time  ;  Eternity's  beginning  is  for  ever. 

Ambition,  hath  it  any  goal  indeed  ?  is  not  all  fruition,  disappointment  ? 

A  step  upon  the  ladder,  and  another,  and  another, — we  start  from  every  end: 

Look  to  the  eras  of  mort*dity  ;  babe,  student,  man. 

The  husband,  the  father,  the  de;ithbead  of  a  saint, — and  is  it  then  an  end  ? 

That  common  climax.  Death,  shall  it  lead  to  nothing  ? 

How  strong  a  root  of  causes,  fiowering  a  consequence  of  vapour : 

That  solid  chain  of  facts,  is  it  snapped  for  ever  ? 

How  stout  a  show  of  figures,  weakly  summing  to  nonentity. 


203  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Or  haply,  Deatli,  in  the  doublings  of  thy  thougiit,  shall  socm  continucua 
ending  : 

A  dull  eternal  slumber,  not  an  end  abrupt. 

()  most  futile  chrysalis,  wherefore  dost  thou  sleep  ? 

Dreamless,  unconscious,  never  to  awake, — what  object  in  such  slun\ber  ? 

If  thou  art  stil!  to  live,  it  may  as  well  be  wakefully  as  sleeping: 

How  grovelling  mu-U  that  spirit  be,  to  need  eternal  sleep ; 

Or  was  indeed  the  toil  of  life  so  heavy  and  so  long, 

Thiit  nevermore  can  rest  refresh  tliine  overburdened  soul  ? 

Sleep  is  a  recreance  to  body,  but  whan  wsis  mind  asleep  ? 

Even  in  a  swoon  it  dreameth,  though  all  be  forgotten  afterwards : 

The  muscles  seek  relaxing,  and  the  irritable  nerves  ask  peace : 

But  life  is  a  constant  force,  spirit  an  unquictable  impetus  ; 

The  eye  r.iay  wear  out  as  a  telescope,  and  the  brain  work  slow  as  a  ma- 
chine. 

But  sold,  unv/earied,  and  for  ever,  is  capable  of  efTort  unimpaired. 

I  live,  move  am  con-clous  :  what  shall  bar  my  being  ? 

Whore  is  tJio  rude  hand,  to  rend  this  tissue  of  existence  ? 

Not  thine,  shadowy  Death,  what  art  thou  but  a  j)hantoin  ? 

Not  thine,  foul  Corruption,  what  art  thou  but  a  fear  ? 

For  deatli  is  merely  absent  life,  as  darkness  absent  light : 

Not  even  a  suspension,  ibr  the  hfe  hatli  sailed  away,  steering  gladly  some- 
where. 

And  ctirruption,  closely  noted,  is  but  a  dissolving  of  tlie  parts, 

The  parts  remain,  and  notliing  lost,  to  build  a  bitter  whole. 

?iIorcover,  mind  is  unity,  however  versatile  and  rapid  ; 

Thou  canst  not  entertain  two  coincident  ideas,  although  they  quickly  fol- 
low : 

And  Unity  hath  no  parts,  so  that  there  is  nothing  lo  dissolve  ; 

And  element  is  still  unchanged  in  every  searching  solvent. 

Who  then  shall  bid  me  be  annulled, — He  that  gave  me  being  ? 

Amen,  if  God  so  will  ;  I  know  that  will  is  love  : 

But  love  hath  promised  life,  end  therefore  I  shall  live  ; 

So  long  arj  Ho  is  God,  I  shall  be  his  Creature  ! 

And  here,  shrewd  reasoner,  so  eager  to  prove  that  tiiou  must  perish, 
I  note  a  sneer  upon  tliy  lip,  and  ridicule  is  haply  on  t'ly  tongue : 
How,  said  he, — creature  of  a  God,  and  arc  uot  all  his  creatures, — 


OF  IMMORTALITY.  SOS 

The  lion,  and  the  gnat, — yea,  the  mvishroom,  and  the  crystal, — have  all 

these  a  soul  ? 
Thy  fancies  tend  to  prove  too  much,  and  overshoot  the  mark  : 
If  I  die  not  with  brutes,  then  brutes  must  live  with  me  ? — 
J  dire  not  tell  thee  that  they  will,  for  the  word  is  not  in  my  commission : 
But  of  the  twain  it  is  the  likelier  ;  con'.inuance  is  the  chance  : 
i\Ien,  dying  in  their  sins,  are  likened  unto  beasts  that  perish  :  , 

They  are  dark,  animal,  insensate,  but  have  they  not  a  lurking  soul  ? 
The  spirit  of  a  man  goetli  upv/ard,  reasonable,  appreliending  God  ; 
The  spirit  of  a  beast  goeth  downv/ard,  sensual,  doting  on  the  creature : 
Who  told  thee  they  die  at  dissolution  ?  boldly  think  it  out, — 
The  multitude  of  flies,  and  the  multitude  of  herbs,  the  world  with  all  its  be- 
ings : 
Is  Infinity  tec  narrow,  Omnipotence  too  v/ca!;,  and  Love  so  anxious  to  des- 
troy ? 
Doth  WisJom  change  its  };lan,  and  a  Maker  cancel  his  created  ? 
God's  will  may  compass  all  things,  to  fashion  and  to  nullify  at  pleasure  : 
Yet  are  there  many  thoughts  of  hope,  that  all  which  are  shall  live. 
True,^there  is  no  conscience  in  the  brute,  beyond  some  educated  habit, 
They  lay  them  down  without  a  fear,  and  wake  without  a  hope : 
Hunger  and  pain  is  of  tlie  animal ;  but  when  did  they  reckon  or  compare  ? 
They  live,  idealess,  in  instinct ;  and  while  they  breathe  they  gain : 
The  master  is  an  idol  to  his  dog,  who  cannot  rise  beyond  him  ; 
And  void  of  capability  for  God,  there  would  seem  small  cause  fcr  an  in- 
finity. 
Therefore,  caviller,  my  poor  thoughts  dare  not  grant  they  live: 
But  is  it  not  a  m-eat  thincf  to  assume  their  annihilation — and  thine  own  ? 
Would  it  be  much  if  a  speck  on  space,  this  globe  with  all  its  millions, 
Verily,  after  its  pollution,  were  sufTered  to  exist  in  purity  ? 
Or  much,  if  guiltless  creatures,  that  were  cruelly  entreated  upon  earth, 
Found  some  commensurate  reward  in  lower  joys  hereafter  ? 
Or  much,  if  a  Creator,  prodigal  of  life,  and  filled  with  the  profundity  of 

love, 
Rejoice  in  all  creatures  of  his  skill,  and  lead  them  to  perfection  in  their 

kind? 
O  man,  there  are  many  marvels  ;  yet  life  is  more  a  mystery  than  death : 
For  death  may  be  some  stagnant  hfe, — but  life  is  present  God  ! 

Many  are  the  lurking  holes  of  evil ;  who  shall  search  tliem  out  ? 


210  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Who  so  skilled  to  cut  away  the  cancer  with  its  fibres  ? 

Frr  wily  minds  with  sinuous  ease  escape  from  lie  to  lie ; 

And  coward.5  driven  from  the  trench  steal  back  to  hide  again. 

Vain  wero  the  battle,  if  a  warrior,  having  slain  his  foes, 

Shall  turn  anJ  tind  them  vit^il  still,  unharmed,  yea  unashamed : 

For  Error,  dark  magician,  daily  cast  out  killed, 

Quickpneth  animate  anew  beneatli  the  midnight  moon  : 

Once  and  again,  once  and  again,  hath  reason  answered  wisely ; 

But  not  the  les?  with  brazen  front  doth  folly  urge  her  questions. 

It  were  but  unprofitable  toil,  a  stand-up  fight  with  unbelief: 

When  was  there  candour  in  a  caviller,  and  who  can  satisfy  the  faithless  ? 

Too  long,  O  truant  from  the  fold,  have  I  tracked  thy  devious  paths : 

Too  long,  treacherous  deserter,  fought  thee  as  a  noble  foeman  : 

Haply,  my  small  art,  and  an  arm  too  weakly  for  its  weapon, 

Hatli  failed  to  pierce  thine  iron  coat,  and  reach  thy  stricken  soid  : 

Ilaply,  the  fervour  of  my  speech,  and  too  patient  sifting  of  thy  fancies, 

iSliall  tend  to  make  thee  prize  them  more,  as  worthier  and  wiser  : 

Go  to :  be  mine  the  gain  :  we  measure  swords  no  more  : 

Go, — and  a  word  go  with  thee, — Man,  thou  art  I.nmurtal  I 

Child  of  light,  and  student  in  the  truth,  too  long  have  I  forgotten  thee : 
Lo,  after  parley  with  an  alien,  let  me  hold  sweet  converse  with  a  brother. 
Glorious  hopes,  and  inefFable  imaginings,  crowd  our  holy  theme, 
Fear  hath  been  slaughtered  on  the  jiortal,   and  Doubt  driven  back  to 

darkness : 
For  Ciirist  hatli  died,  and  we  in  Him ;  by  faith  His  all  is  ours, — 
Cross  and  crown,  and  love,  and  life ;  and  we  shall  reign  in  Him  I 
Yea,  there  is  a  fitness  and  a  beauty  in  ascribing  immortality  to  mind. 
That  its  energies  and  lofty  aspirations  may  have  scope  for  indefinite  ex- 
pansion. 
To  learn  all    things  is   privdege  of  reason,  and  that  with  a  growing 

capability. 
But  in  this  age  of  toil  and  time  we  scarce  attain  to  alphabets : 
How  hardly  in  the  midst  of  our  hurry,  and  jostled  by  the  cares  of  life, 
Shall  a  man  turn  and  stop  to  consider  mighty  secrets ; 
With  barely  hours,  and  barely  powers,  to  fill  Tip  dc'.ily  duties. 
How  small  the  glimpse  of  knowdedge  his  wondering  eye  can  catch. 
And  knovvdedge  is  a  noting  of  the  order  wherein  God's  attributes  evolve, 
Therefore  worthy  of  the  creature,  worthy  of  an  angel's  seeking  ; 


OF  IMMORTALITY.  Sll 

Yea,  and  human  knowledge,  meanre  thougli  the  harvest. 

Hath  its  roots,  both  deep  and  strong ;  but  the  plants  are  exotic  to  the  climate ; 

All  we  seom  to  knovv  demand  a  lonjer  learning, 

History,  anl  science,  and  prophecy,  and  art,  are  workings  all  of  God: 

An !  t'lore  are  galaxies  oF  globas,  millions  of  unimagined  beings, 

Other  sense-,  wondrous  sounds,  and  thoughts?  of  thrilling  tire, 

Powers  of  strange  might,  quickening  unknown  elements. 

And  attributes  and  energies  of  God,  wliich  man  may  never  guess. 

Not  in  v.;in,  O  brother,  hath  soul  the  spurs  of  enterprise. 

Nor  aimlessly  panteth  for  adventure,  waiting  at  the  cave  of  mystery: 

Noi;  in  vain  the  cup  of  curiosity,  sweet  and  richly  spiced, 

Is  ruby  to  the  siglit,  and  ambrosia  to  tlie  txists,  and  redolent  with  all 

fragrance : 
Thou  shalt  drink,  and  deepl\-,  filling  the  mind  with  marvels  ; 
Thou  shalt  watcli  no  more,  lingering,  disappointed  of  thy  hope : 
Thou  slialt  roam  where  road  is  none,  a  traveller  untrammelled, 
Speeding  at  a  wish,  emancipate,  to  where  the  stars  are  suns  ! 

Count,  count  your  hopes,  heirs  of  immortality  and  love ; 

And  hear  my  kindred  faith,  and  turn  again  to  bless  me. 

For  lo,  my  trust  is  strong  to  dwell  in  many  worlds. 

And  cull  of  many  brethren  there,  sweet  knowledge  ever  new  : 

I  yearn  for  realms  where  fancy  shall  be  filled,  and  the  ecstasies  of  freedom 

shall  be  felt. 
And  the  soul  reign  gloriously,  risen  to  its  royal  destinies  : 
I  look  to  recognize  again,  through  the  beautiful  mask  of  their  perfection, 
The  dear  fami  iar  faces  I  have  somevvhile  loved  on  earth : 
I  long  to  t;ilk  with  grateful  tongue  of  storms  and  perils  past, 
And  praise  tlie  mighty  Pilot  that  hath  steered  us  through  the  rapids : 
He  shall  be  the  focus  of  it  all,  the  very  heart  of  gladness, — 
My  poul  is  athirst  for  God,  the  God  who  dwelt  in  yi.m  ! 
Propliet,  priest,  and  king,  the  sacrifice,  the  substitute,  the  Saviour, 
Rapture  of  tlie  blessed  in  the  hunted  one  of  earth,  the  pardoner  in  the 

victim  : 
How  many  centuries  of  joy  concentrate  in  that  theme ; 
How  often  a  jMethusclah  might  count  his  thousand  years,  and  leave  it 

unexhausted. 
And  lo,  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  with  all  its  gates  one  pearl, 


212  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

That  pearl  of  countless  price,  the  door  by  wliicli  we  entered, — 

Come,  tread  the  golden  streets',  aiiJ  join  that  g!oriou->  throng, 

The  happy  ones  of  heaven  an  1  earti),  ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand  : 

Hark,  they  sing  that  song, — and  cast  their  crowns  before  Him  : 

Their  souls  alight  with  Love, — Glory,  and  Praise,  and  Immortality  ! 

Veil  thine  eyes :  no  son  of  time  may  see  that  holy  visioii, 

And  even  the  seraph  at  thy  side  hath  covered  his  face  with  wings. 

Doth  he  not  speak  parables  ? — each  one  goeth  on  his  way  : 

Ye  that  hear,  and  I  that  counsel,  go  on  our  ways  forgetful. 

For  the  terrible  realities  whereto  we  tend,  are  hidden  from  our  eyes, — 

We  know  but  heed  them  not,  and  walk  as  if  the  temporal  were  all  things. 

Vanities  buzzing  on  the  ear,  fill  its  drowsy  chambers. 

Slow  to  dread  tliose  coming  fears,  tlie  thunder  and  the  trumpet ; 

Motes  streaming  on  the  sight,  dim  our  purblind  eyes, 

Dark  to  see  the  ponderous  orb  of  nearing  Inmiortality  : 

Hemmed  in  by  hostile  foes,  the  trifler  is  busied  on  an  epigram ;  ( ") 

The  dull  ox,  driven  to  slaughter,  ctireth  but  for  pasture  by  the  way. 

Alas,  that  the  precious  things  of  truth,  and  the  e\^erlasting  hills. 

The  mighty  hopes  we  spake  of,  and  the  consciousness  we  feel, — 

Alas,  that  all  the  future,  and  its  adamantine  facts. 

Clouded  by  the  present  with  intoxicating  fumes, — 

Should  seem  even  to  u:*,  the  great  expectant  heirs, 

To  us,  the  responsible  and  free,  fearful  sons  of  reason, 

Only  as  a  lovely  song,  sweet  sounds  of  solemn  music, 

A  pleasant  voice,  and  nothing  more, — doth  he  not  speak  parables  ? 

Look  to  thy  soul,  O  man,  for  none  can  be  surety  for  his  brother : 

Behold,  for  heaven — or  for  hell — thou  canst  not  escape  from  Irnmoitality  ! 


OF  IDEAS. 

MiND  is  like  a  volatile  essence,  flitting  hither  and  thither, 

A  solitary  sentinel  of  the  fortress  body,  to  show  himself  every  where  by 

turns : 
Mind  is  indivisible  and  instant,  with  neither  parts  nor  organs, 


OF  IDEAS.  213 

That  it  doeth,  it  doth  quickly,  but  the  whole  mind  doth  it : 
An  active,  versatile  agent,  untiring  in  the  principle  of  energj', 
Nor  space,  nor  time,  nor  rest,  nor  toil,  can  affect  the  tenant  of  the  brain ; 
His  dwelling  may  verily  be  shattered,  and  the  furniture  thereof  be  dis- 
arranged, 
But  the  particle  of  Deity  in  man  slumbereth  not,  neither  can  be  wearied  : 
However  swift  to  change,  even  as  the  field  of  a  kaleidoscope. 
It  taketh  in  but  one  idea  at  once,  moulded  for  the  moment  to  its  likeness. 
jMind  is  as  the  quicksilver,  which,  poured  from  vessel  to  vessel, 
Instantly  seizeth  on  a  shape,  and  as  instantly  again  discardeth  it ; 
For  it  is  an  apprehensive  power,  closing  on  the  properties  of  Matter, 
Expanding  to  enwrap  a  world,  collapsing  to  prison  up  an  atom  : 
As,  bv  night,  thine  irritable  eyes  may  have  seen  strange  changing  figures, 
Now  a  wheel,  now  suddenly  a  point,  a  line,  a  curve,  a  zigzag, 
A  m.aze  ever  altering,  as  the  dance  of  gnats  upon  a  sunbeam, 
JSwift,  intricate,  neither  to  be  prophesied,  nor  to  l)e  remembered  in  suc- 
cession, 
So,  the  mind  of  a  man,  single,  and  perpetually  moving. 
Flickering  about  from  thought  to  thought,  changed  with  each  idea. 
For  the  passing  second  metamorphosed  to  the  image  of  that  within  its  ken, 
And  throwing  its  immediate  perceptions  into  each  cause  of  contemplation. 
It  shall  regard  a  tree  ;  and  unconsciously,  in  separate  review, 
Embrace  its  colour,  shape,  and  use,  whole  and  individual  conceptions ; 
It  shall  read  or  hear  of  crime,  and  cast  itself  into  the  commission ; 
It  shall  note  a  generous  deed,  and  glow  for  a  moment  as  the  doer ; 
It  shall  imagine  pride  or  pleasure,  treading  on  the  edges  of  temptation  ; 
Or  heed  of  God  and  of  his  Christ,  and  grow  transformed  to  glory. 

Wherefore,  it  is  wise  and  well  to  guide  the  mind  aright. 

That  its  aptness  may  be  sensitive  to  good,  and  shrink  with  antipathy  from 

evil : 
For  use  will  mould  and  mark  it,  or  non-usage  dull  and  blimt  it ; — 
So  to  talk  of  spirit  by  analogy  with  substance  ; 
And  analogy  is  a  truer  guide,  than  many  teachers  toll  of: 
Similitudes  are  scattered  round,  to  help  us,  not  to  hurt  us ; 
Moses,  in  his  every  type,  and  the  Greater  than  a  Moses,  in  his  parables, 
Preach  in  terms  that  all  may  learn,  the  philosophic  lessons  of  analogy; 
And  here,  in  a  topic  immaterial,  the  likeness  of  analogy  is  just ; 
By  habits,  knit  the  nerves  of  mind,  and  train  the  ghdiator  shrewdly : 


214  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

For  thought  shall  strengthen  thinking,  and  imagery  speed  imagination, 
Until  thy  spiritual  inmate  sliall  have  swelled  to  the  giant  of  Otranto. 

Nevertheless,  heed  well,  that  this  Athlete,  growing  in  thy  brain, 

Be  a  wholesome  Genius,  not  a  cursed  Afrite  : 

And  see  thou  discipline  his  strength,  and  point  his  aim  discreetly ; 

Feed  him  on  humility  and  holy  things,  weaned  from  covetous  desires ; 

Hour  by  hour,  and  day  by  day,  ply  him  with  ideas  of  excellence, 

Dragging  forth  the  evil  but  to  loathe,  as  a  Spartan's  drunken  Helot : 

And  win,  by  gradual  allurements,  the  still  expanding  soul. 

To  rise  from  a  contemplated  universe,  even  to  the  Hand  that  made  it. 

A  common  mind  perceiveth  not  beyond  his  eyes  and  ears : 

The  palings  of  the  park  of  sense  enthral  this  captured  roebuck  : 

And  still,  though  fettered  in  the  flesh,  he  doth  not  feel  his  chains, 

Externals  are  the  world  to  him,  and  circumstance  his  atmosphere. 

Therefore,  tangible  pleasures  are  enough  for  the  animal-man ; 

He  is  swift  to  speak  and  slow  to  think,  dreading  his  own  dim  conscience ; 

And  solitude  is  terrible,  and  exile  worse  than  death, 

He  cannot  dwell  apart,  nor  breathe  at  a  distance  from  the  crowd  ; 

But  minds  of  nobler  stamp,  and  chiefest  the  mint-marked  of  heaven, 

Walk  independent  by  themselves,  freely  manumitted  of  externals : 

They  carry  viands  with  them,  and  need  no  refreshment  by  the  way. 

Nor  drink  of  other  wells  than  their  own  inner  fountain. 

Strange  shall  it  seem  how  little  such  a  man  will  lean  upon  the  accidents 

of  life, 
He  is  winged,  and  needeth  not  a  staff;  if  it  break, — he  shall  not  fall. 
And  lightly  perchance  doth  he  remember  the  stale  trivialities  around  him. 
He  livoth  in  the  realm  of  thought,  beyond  the  world  of  things : 
These  are  but  transient  Matter,  and  himself  enduring  Spirit: 
And  worldliness  will  laugh  to  scorn  tliat  sublimated  wisdom. 
His  eyes  may  open  on  a  prison-cell,  but  the  bare  walls  glow  with  imagery; 
His  ears  may  be  filled  with  execration,  but  are  listening  to  the  music  of 

sweet  thoughts ; 
He  may  dwell  in  a  hovel  with  a  hero's  heart,  and  canopy  his  penury  with 

peace. 
For  mind  is  a  kingdom  to  the  man,  who  gatheretli  his  pleasure  from  Ideas. 


OF  NAMES.  215 


OF    NAMES. 

Apam  gave  the  nam?,  whon  the  LorJ  had  made  his  creature, 

For  Go  !  led  thoni  in  review,  to  see  what  man  would  call  them: 

As  they  struck  his  sentC',  he  proclaimed  their  sounds, 

A  name  for  the  distinguishing  of  each,  a  numeral  by  wliich  it  should  bo 
known : 

He  specified  the  fartridge  by  her  cry,  and  the  forest  prowler  by  his 
roaring, 

The  tree  by  its  use,  and  the  flower  by  its  beauty,  and  every  thing  accord- 
ing to  its  truth. 

The-e  is  an  arbitrary  name,  whereunto  the  idea  attacheth  ; 

And  there  is  a  reasonable  name,  linking  its  fitness  to  idea : 

Yet  sliall  these  twain  run  in  parallel  courses, 

Neit'i^r  sha't  thou  readily  discern  t!i9  habit  from  the  na'ure. 

For  mind  is  apt  and  quick  to  wed  ideas  and  names  together, 

Nor  stoppeth  its  perception  to  be  curious  of  priorities; 

And  thore  is  but  little  in  the  sound,  as  some  have  vainly  foncied. 

The  s.ime  tone  in  different  tongues  shall  be  suitable  to  opposite  ideas ; 

Yea,  t;ike  an  cnsample  in  thine  own  ;  consider  similar  words  : 

How  various  and  contrary  the  thoughts  those  kindred  names  produce  : 

A  house  shall  seem  a  fitting  word  to  call  a  roomy  dwelling, 

Yet  there  is  a  like  propriety  in  the  small  smooth  sound,  a  mouse  : 

Mountain,  as  if  of  a  necessity,  is  a  word  both  miglity  and  majestic, — 

Wliat  heed  ye  then  of  fountain  ? — flowing  silver  in  the  sun. 

Many  a  fair  flower  is  burdened  with  preposterous  appellatives, 

Wiiich  the  wiser  simplicity  of  rustics  entitled  by  its  beauties  : 

And  often  the  conceit  of  science,  loving  to  be  thought  cosmopolite, 

Shall  mingle  names  of  every  clime,  alike  obscr.rc  to  cnch. 

There  is  wisdom  in  calling  a  thing  fitly  ;  name  should  note  particulars 

Through  a  character  obvious  to  all   men,  and  worthy  of  tlieir  instant 

acceptation. 
The  herbalist  had  a  simple  cause  for  every  word  upon  his  catalogue, 
But  now  the  mouth  of  Botany  is  filled  with  empty  sound ; 
And  many  a  peasant  hath  an  answer  on  his  tongue,  concerning  some  vexed 

flower, 
Shrewder  than  the  centipede  phrase  wherewithal  pliilosophera  invest  it 


216  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

For  that,  the  foolishness  of  pride,  and  flatteries  of  cringing  homage, 
Strew  with  chafF  tha  threshing-floors  of  science ;  names  perplex  them  all : 
The  entomologist,  who  hath  pried  upon  an  insect,  straightway  shall  endow 

it  witli  his  nnme  ; 
It  had  many  qnalitios  and  marks  of  note. — but  in  chief,  a  vain  observer : 
Tiie  geographer  sliall  journey  to  the  pole,  through  biting  frost  and  de- 
solation, 
And,  for  some  simple  patron's  sake,  shall  name  that  land,  the  happy : 
Tiie  fossiiist  hath  found  a  bone,  the  rib  of  some  huge  lizard. 
And  forthwith  standeth  to  it  sponsor,  to  tack  himself  on  reptue  immor- 
talities : 
The  sportsman,  hunting  at  the  Cape,  found  some  strange-horned  antelope, 
The  spots  are  new,  the  fame  is  cheap,  and  so  his  name  is  added. 
Thus,  obscurities  encumber  knowledge,  even  by  the  vanity  of  men, 
Who  play  into  each  others  hand  the  game  of  givinjj  names. 

Varirus  are  the  names  of  men,  and  drawn  from  difTerent  wells  : 
Aspects  of  body,  or  characters  of  mind,  the  creature's  first  idea : 
And  some  have  sprung  of  trades,  and  some  of  dignities  or  office; 
Other  some  added  to  a  father's,  and  yet  more  growing  from  a  place : 
Animal  crealicn,  with  sciences  and  things, — their   composites,  and  near 

associations, 
Contributed  their  symbolings  of  old.  v.-herowith  to  title  men : 
And  heraldry  set  upon  its  cresture  the  figured  attributes  as  ensigns 
Ey  which,  as  by  a  nnme  concrete,  its  bearer  should  be  known. 

Egypt  oponcd  on  the  theme,  dressing  up  her  gods  in  qualities  ; 
Horns  of  power,  feathers  of  the  swift,  mitres  of  catholic  dominion, 
The  sovereign  asps,  the  circle  everlasting,  the  crook  and  thong  of  justice. 
By  many  mystic  shapes  and  sounds  displayed  the  idol's  name. 
Thereafter,  high-phuned  warriors,  the  chieftains  of  Etrnria  and  Troy, 
And  Xerxes,  urging  on  his  millions  to  the  tomb  of  pride,  Thermopylas, 
And  Hiero  with  his  bounding  ships  all  figured  at  the  prow, 
And  Rome's  Praetorian  standards,  piled  with  strange  df^vices, 
And  stout  crusaders  pressing  to  the  battle,  locked  in  shining  steel, — 
These  all  in  their  speaking  symbols,  earned,  or  wore,  a  name. 
Eve,  the  mother  of  all  living,  and  x\l)rahrun,  father  of  a  nmltitnde, 
Jacob,  the  supplanter,  and  David  the  beloved,  and  all  the  worthies  of  old 
time, 


OF  NAMES.  217 

J^oah,  Vv'ho  came  for  consolation,  and  Benoni,  son  of  sorrow, 
Kings  and  prophets,  children  of  the  East,  owned  each  his  title  of  signifi- 
cance. 

There  be  nanne.s  of  liigh  descent,  and  thereby  storied  honours ; 
Names  of  fair  renown,  and  therein  characters  of  merit : 
But  to  lend  the  lowborn  noble  names,  is  to  shed  upon  them  ridicule  and  evil ; 
Yea,  many  weeds  run  rank  in  pride,  if  men  have  dubbed  them  cedars. 
And  to  herald  common  mediocrity  with  the  noisy  notes  of  fame, 
Tendeth  to  its  deeper  scorn;  as  if  it  were  to  call  the  mole  a  mammotli. 
Yet  shall  ye  find  the  trader's  babe  dignified  with  sounding  titles, 
And  little  hath  the  father  guo.=^?ed  the  hami  he  did  iiis  child : 
For  either  may  they  breed  him  discontent,  a  peevish  repining  at  liis  sta- 
tion. 
Or  point  the  finger  of  despite  at  the  mule  in  the  trappings  of  an  elephant : 
And  it  is  a  kind  of  theft  to  fdch  appellations  from  the  famous, 
A  soiling  of  the  shrines  of  praise  with  folly's  vulgar  herd. 
Prudence  hath  often  gone  asliamed  for  the  name  they  added  to  his  father's, 
If  minds  of  mark  and  jjreat  achievements  bore  it  v.'ell  before  ; 
For  he  walketh  as  the  jay  in  the  fable,  tliough  not  by  his  own  folly. 
Another's  fault  hath  compassed  his  misfortune,  making  him  a  martyr  to 
his  name. 

WHio  would  call  the  tench  a  v/hale,  or  style  a  torch,  Orion  ? 
Yet  many  a  silly  parent  hath  dealt  likewise  with  his  nurshng. 
Give  thy  child  a  fit  distinguisliment,  making  him  sole  tenant  of  a  name, 
For  it  were  a  sore  hindrance  to  hold  it  in  common  with  a  hundred  ; 
In  the  Babel  of  confused  identities  fame  is  little  feasible. 
The  felon  shall  detract  from  the  philantliropist,  and  the  sage  share  hon- 
ours withLtliC  simple  : 
Still,  in  thy  title  of  distinguishment,  fall  not  into  arrogant  assumption, 
Steering  from  caprice  and  afiectations  ;  and  for  all  tliou  doest,  have  a  rea- 
son. 
He  that  is  ambitious  for  his  son,  should  give  him  untried  names, 
For  those  that  have  served  other  men,  haply  may  injure  by  their  evils ; 
Or  otherwise  may  hinder  by  their  glories  ;  therefore  set  him  by  himself. 
To  win  for  his  individual  name  some  clear  specific  praise. 
There  were  nine  Homers,  all  goodly  sons  of  song ;  but  where  is  any 
record  of  the  eight  ? 

10 


218  PROVEriBlAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

On?  grew  to  fame,  an  Aiiron's  rod,  and  pwallovvcd  np  his  brethren  :  ('") 

Who  kno.veth  ?  more  dir-tiiictly  tilled,  those  dead  eiglit  liad  Uved  ; 

But  t!ic  censers  wero  ranged  in  a  circle,  to  mingle  their  sweets  witliout  a 

ditTerence. 

Art  thou  named  of  a  common  crowd,  and  sensible  of  high  aspirings  ? 

It  ii  hard  for  thee  to  rise, — yet  strive :    thou  mayst  be  among  them  a 

Musajiis. 
Art  thou  named  of  a  family,  tlie  same  in  successive  generations  ? 
It  is  open  to  thee  still  to  earn  for  epithets,  such  an  one,  the  good  or  great. 
Art  thon  named  foolishly  ?  show  that  thou  art  wiser  than  thy  fathers, 
I  ivc  to  shame  their  vanity  or  sin  by  dutiful  devotion  to  thy  sphere. 
Art  thou  named  discreetly  ?  it  is  well,  the  course  is  free  ; 
No  competitor  shall  claim  thy  colours,  neither  fix  his  faults  upon  thee  : 
Hasten  to  the  goal  of  fame  bctv.'oen  the  posts  of  duty, 
And  win  a  blessing  from  the  world,  that  men  may  love  thy  name ; 
Yea,  that  the  unction  of  its  praise,  in  fragrance  well  deserving, 
May  float  adown  the  stream  of  time,  like  ambergris  at  sea  ; 
So  thy  sons  may  tell  their  sons,  and  those  may  teach  their  children, 
He  died  in  goodness,  as  he  lived ; — and  left  us  his  good  name. 
And  more  than  these :  there  is  a  roll  whereon  thy  name  is  written ; 
See  that,  on  the  Book  of  Doom,  that  name  is  fixed  in  light : 
Then,  safe  within  a  better  home,  where  time  and  its  titles  are  not  found, 
God  will  give  thee  his  new  Name,  and  write  it  on  thy  heart : 
A  Name,  better  than  of  sons,  a  Name  dearer  than  of  daughters, 
A  Name  of  union,  peace,  and  praise,  as  numbered  in  thy  God. 


OF    THINGS. 

Abstracted  from  all  substance,  and  flying  with  the  feathered  flock  of 

thoughts, 
The  idea  of  a  thing  hath  the  nature  of  its  Soul,  a  separate  seeming  es- 
sence : 
Intimately  linked  to  the  idea,  suggesting  many  qualities. 
The  name  of  a  thing  hath  the  nature  of  its  Mind,  an  intellectual  recorder: 
And  the  matter  of  a  thing,  concrete,  i^  a  Body  to  the  perfect  creature, 


OF  THINGS.  21D 

> 

Compacted  three  in  one,  as  all  things  else  within  the  Universe. 

Nothing  canst  thou  add  to  them,  and  nothing  take  away,  for  all  havo 

these  proportion-, 

Tl  e  thought,  the  wcrd,  the  form,  ccmlining  in  the  Thing: 

All  separate,  yet  harmonizing  well,  and  mingled  each  with  other, 

One  whole  in  several  parts,  yet  each  part  spreading  to  a  whole : 

The  idea  is  a  whole,  and  the  meaning  phrase  that  spake  idea,  a  whole, 

And  the  matter,  as  ye  see  it,  is  a  whole  ;  the  mystery  of  true  tri-unity : 

Yea,  there  is  even  a  deeper  mystery, — which  none,  I  wot,  can  fathom. 

Matter,  different  from  properties  whereby  the  solid  substance  is  described. 

For,  size  and  weight,  cohesion  and  the  like,  live  di-tinct  from  matter, 

Yet  wlio  can  image  matter,  unendoweil  with  size  and  weight  ? 

As  in  the  spiritual,  so  in  the  material,  man  must  rest  with  patience, 

And  wait  for  other  eyes  wherewith  to  read  the  books  of  God. 

Men  have  talked  learnedly  of  atoms,  as  if  matter  could  be  ever  indivisible. 
They  talk,  but  ill  are  skilled  to  teach,  and  darken  truth  by  fancies  : 
An  atom  by  our  grosser  sense  was  never  yet  conceived, 
And  nothing  can  be  thought  so  small,  as  not  to  be  divided  : 
For  an  atom  runneth  to  infinity,  and  never  shall  be  caught  in  space, 
And  a  molecule  is  no  more  indivisible  than  Saturn's  belted  orb. 
Things  intangible,  multiplied  by  multitudes,  never  will  amass  to  substance. 
Neither  can  a  thing  which  may  be  touched,  be  made  of  impalpable  pro- 
portions ; 
The  sum  of  indivisibles  must  needs  be  indivisible,  as  adding  many  nothings, 
.\nd  the  building  up  of  atoms  into  matter  is  but  a  silly  sophism ; 
Lucretius  and  keen  Anaximander,  and  many  that  have  followed  in  their 

thoughts, 
(P^or  error  hath  a  long  black  shadow,  dimming  light  for  ages,) 
In  the  foolishno-s  of  men  without  a  God  fancied  to  fashion  Matter 
Of  intangibles,  and  therefore  uncohcring,  indivisibles  and  therefore  Spirit. 

Things  breed  thoughts  ;  therefore  at  Thebes  and  Heliopolis, 
In  liieroglyphic  sculptures  are  the  priestly  secrets  written  ; 
Things  breed  thoughts  ;  therefore  was  the  Athens  of  Idolatry 
Set  with  carved  images,  frequent  as  the  trees  of  Academus ; 
Things  breed  thoughts  ;  therefore  the  Brahmin  and  the  Bunnan 
With  mvthologic  shapes  adorn  tlieir  coarse  pantheon  : 
Tilings  breed  thoughts ;  therefore  the  statue  and  the  picture. 


220  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Relics,  rosnrles,  and  miracles  in  act,  quicken  the  Papist  in  his  worship: 
Things  breed  thoughts ;  therefore  the  lovers  at  their  parting, 
Interchanged  with  tearful  smiles  the  dear  reminding  tokens ; 
Things  breed  thoughts ;  therefore,  when  the  clansman  met  his  foe, 
The  blosd-sta'ned  claymore  in  his  hand  revived  the  memories  of  vengeance. 

Things  teach  with  double  force ;  through  the  animal  eye,  and  through 

the  mind, 
And  the  eye  catchcth  in  an  instant,  what  the  ear  shall  not  learn  within  an 

hour. 
Thence  is  the  potency  of  travel,  the  precious  might  of  its  advantages 
To  compc-ni-atc  its  dissipative  harm,  its  toil  and  cost  and  danger. 
Ulysses,  v/andcring  to  many  shores,  lived  in  many  cities. 
And  thereby  learnt  the  minds  of  men,  and  stored  his  own  more  richly  : 
Herodotus,  the  accurate  and  kindly,  spake  of  that  he  saw, 
And  reaped  his  knowledge  on  the  spot,  in  fertile  fields  of  Egypt : 
Lycurgus  culled  from  every  clima  the  golden  fruits  of  justice  ; 
And  Plato  roamed  through  foreign  lands,  to  feed  on  truth  in  all. 
For  travel,  conversant  with  Things,  bringeth  them  in  contact  with  the  mind  ; 
We  breathe  the  wholesome  atmosphere  about  ungarbled  truth  : 
Pictures  of  fact  arc  painted  on  the  eye,  to  decorate  the  house  of  intellect, 
Rather  than  visions  of  fancy,  filling  all  the  chambers  with  a  vapour. 
For,  in  ideas,  the  great  mind  will  exaggerate,  and  the  lesser  extenuate  truth : 
But  in  Things  the  one  is  chastened,  and  the  other  quickened,  to  equality : 
And   in   Names, — though   a   property  be   told,  ratb.er  than  an  arbitrary 

accident, 
Still  shall  the  thought  be  vague  or  false,  if  none  hath  seen  the  Thing; 
For  in  Things  the  property  with  accident  staudeth  in  a  mass  concrete, 
These  cannot  cheat  the  sense,  nor  elude  the  vigilance  of  spirit. 
Travel  is  a  ceaseless  fount  of  surface  education. 

But  its  wisdom  will  be  simply  superficial,  if  thou  add  not  thoughts  to  things : 
Yet,  aided  by  the  ^'arnish  of  society,  things  may  serve  for  thoughts, 
Till  many  dullards  that  have  seen  the  v/orld  shall  pass  for  scholars  : 
Because  one  single  glance  will  conquer  all  descriptions. 
Though  graphic,  these  left  some  imsaid,  though  true,  these  tended  to  some 

error. 
And  the  most  witless  eye  that  saw,  had  a  juster  notion  of  its  object, 
Than  the  shrewdest  mind  that  hrt2.ni  and  shaped  its  gathered  thoughts  of 

Things. 


OF  FAITH.    .  221 


OF   FAITH. 

Confidence  was  bearer  of  the  palm  ;  for  it  looked  like  conviction  of  desert: 

And  where  tlie  strong  is  well  assured,  the  weaker  soon  allow  it. 

JIajesty  and  beauty  are  commingled,  in  moving-  with  immutable  decision, 

And  well  may  charm  the  coward  hearts  that  tnrn  and  hide  for  fear. 

Faith,  nrmness,  confidence,  consistency, — these  are  wt-ll  allied ; 

Yea,  let  a  man  press  on  in  aught,  he  shall  not  lack  of  honour : 

For  such  an  one  seemetli,as  superior  to  the  native  instability  of  creatures : 

That  he  doeth,  he  doeth  as  a  god,  and  men  will  marvel  at  his  courage. 

Even  in  crimes  a  partial  praise  cannot  be  denied  to  daring, 

And  many  fearless  chiefs  have  won  the  friendship  of  a  foe. 

Confidence  is  conqueror  of  men  ;  victorious  both  over  tliem  and  in  them ; 
The  iron  will  of  one  stout  heart  shall  make  a  thousand  quail : 
A  feeble  dwarf,  dauntlessly  resolved,  will  turn  the  tide  of  battle, 
And  rally  to  a  nobler  strife  the  giants  that  had  fled  : 
The  tenderest  child,  unconscious  of  a  fear,  will  shame  the  man  to  danger, 
And  v/hen  he  dared  it,  danger  died,  and  faith  had  vanquished  fear. 
Boldness  is  akin  to  power  :  yea,  because  ignorance  is  weakness, 
Knou'ledge  with  unshrinking  might  will  nerve  the  vigorous  hand : 
Boldness  hath  a  startling  strength  ;  the  mouse  may  fright  a  lion, 
And  oftentimes  the  horned  herd  is  scared  by  some  brave  cur. 
Courage  hath  analogy  with  faith,  for  it  st^mdcth  both  in  animal  and  moral; 
The  true  is  mindful  of  a  God,  the  false  is  stout  in  self: 
But  true  or  false,  the  twain  are  faith  ;  and  faith  worketh  wonders  : 
Never  was  a  marvel  done  upon  the  eaith,  but  it  had  sprung  of  faith : 
Nothing  noble,  generous,  or  great,  but  faith  was  the  root  of  the  achieve- 
ment ; 
Nothing  comely,  nothing  famous,  but  its  praise  is  faith. 
Leonidas  fought  in  human  faith,  osi  Joshua  in  divine  : 
Xcnophon  trusted  to  his  .skill,  and  the  sons  of  Mattathias  to  their  cause:  (") 
In  foith  Columbus  found  a  path  across  those  untried  waters : 
The  heroines  of  Arc  and  Sarngossa  fought  in  eartiily  faith  : 
Tell  was  strong,  and  Alfred  great,  and  Luther  wise,  by  faith  ; 
Rlargaret  by  faith  was  vahant  (or  her  son,  and  Wallace  might}'  for  Us 
people : 


222  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Faith  in  his  reason  made  Socrates  sublime,  as  faith  in  his  science,  Galileo : 
Ambassadors  in  faitli  arc  bold,  and  unreproved  for  boldness : 
Faith  urged  Fabius  to  delays,  and  sent  forth  Hannibal  to  Canna; : 
Ca3sar  at  the  Rubicon,  Miltiades  at  Marathon :  both  were  sped  by  faith. 
I  set  not  all  in  equal  sj)licros  :  1  number  not  the  martyr  with  the  patriot ; 
I  class  not  the  hero  with  his  horse,  because  the  twain  liave  courage : 
But  only  for  ensample  and  instruction,  that  all  things  stand  by  faith  ; 
Albeit  faith  of  divers  kinds,  and  varying  in  degrees. 
Tiiere  is  faith  towards  men,  and  there  is  faith  towards  God ; 
The  latter  is  the  gold,  and  the  former  is  the  brass  ;  but  both  are  sturdy 

metal : 
And  the  brass  mingled  with  the  gold  floweth  into  rich  Corinthian  ; 
A  substance  bright  and  hard  and  keen,  to  point  x\chilles'  spear : 
So  shall  thou  stop  the  way  against  the  foes  that  hem.  thee  ; 
Trust  in  GoJ,  to  strengtiien  man ; — be  bold,  for  He  doth  help. 

Yet  more  :  for  confidence  in  man,  even  to  the  worst  and  meanest, 

Hath  power  to  overcome  his  ill,  by  charitable  good. 

Fling  thine  unreserving  trust,  even  on  the  conscience  of  a  culprit, 

Soon  wilt  thou  shame  him  by  thy  faith,  and  he  will  melt  and  mend  : 

The  hest  of  thieves  will  harm  thee  not,  if  thou  dost  bear  thee  boldly  : 

Boldly,  yea  and  kindly,  as  relying  on  their  honour  : 

For  the  hand  so  stout  against  agression,  is  quite  disarmed  by  charity ; 

And  tiiat  warm  sun  will  thaw  the  heart  case-hardened  by  long  Irost. 

Treat  men  gently,  trust  them  strongly,  if  thou  wish  their  weal ; 

Or  cautious  doubts  and  bitter  thoughts  will  tempt  the  best  to  foil  thee ; 

Believe  the  well  in  sanguine  liope,  and  thou  shalt  reap  the  better ; 

But  if  thou  deal  with  men  so  ill,  thy  dealings  make  them  worse. 

Despair  not  of  some  gleams  of  g(jod  still  lingering  in  the  darkest. 

And  among  veterans  in  crime,  plead  thou  as  with  their  children : 

So  astonicd  at  humanities,  the  bad  heart  long  estranged. 

Shall  even  weep  to  feel  himself  so  little  worth  thy  love ; 

In  wholesome  sorrow  will  he  bless  thee ;  yea,  and  in  that  spirit  may 

repent ; 
Thus,  wilt  thou  gain  a  soul,  in  mercy  given  to  thy  faith. 

Look  aside  to  lack  of  faith,  the  mass  of  ills  it  bringeth  ; 
All  things  treacherous,  base,  and  vile,  dissolving  the  brotherhood  of  men. 
Bonds  break ;  the  cement  hath  lost  its  hold,  and  each  is  separate  from 
other ; 


OF  FAITH.  223 

That  which  shoulJ  be  neighbourly  and  good,  is  craikcrcd  into  bitterness 

and  evil. 
O  thuu  serpent,  fell  Suspicion,  coiling  coid'y  round  tlic  heart, — 
O  thou  asp  of  subtle  Jealousy,  slinging  liotiy  to  the  soul, — 
O  distrust,  reserve,  and  doubt, — what  rejitile  sliapes  arc  here, 
Poisoning  the  garden  of  a  world  with  death  among  its  flowers! 
No  need  of  many  word-,  the  tale  is  easy  to  bo  told  : 
A  point  will  touch  the  truth,  a  line  suggest  the  |  icture. 
For  if,  in  thine  own  home,  a  cautious  man  and  captious, 
Thou  hintest  at  suspicion  of  a  servant,  thou  soon  wilt  make  a  thief; 
Or  if,  too  keen  in  care,  thou  dost  evidently  disbelieve  thy  child, 
Thou  hast  injured  the  texture  of  his  honour,  and  smoothed  to  liim  the 

way  of  lying : 
Or  if  thou  obervest  upon  friends,  as  seeking  thee  seltishly  for  interest, 
Thou  hast  hurt  their  kindliness  lo  thee,  and  shalt  be  paid  with  scorn : 
Or  if,  O  silly  ones  of  marriage,  your  foul  and  foolish  thoughts, 
Ilashly  misinterpreting  in  each  the  levity  of  innocence  for  sin. 
Shall  pour  upon  the  lap  of  home  pain  where  once  was  pleasure, 
And  m.i.x  contentions  in  the  cup,  that  mantled  once  with  comforts, 
Bitterly  and  justly  shall  ye  rue  the  punishment  due  to  unbelief; 
Ye  trust  not  each  the  other,  nor  the  mutual  vows  of  God  ; 
Take  heed,  for  the  pit  may  now  be  near,  a  pit  of  your  own  digging, — 
Faith  abused  tempteth  unto  crime,  and  doubt  may  make  its  monster. 

Man  verily  is  vile,  but  more  in  capability  than  action  ; 

His  sinfulness  is  deep,  but  his  transgressions  may  be  few,  even  from  the 

absence  of  temptation : 
He  is  hanging  in  a  gulf  midway,  but  the  air  is  breathable  about  him  : 
Tlirust  him  not  from  that  slight  hold,  to  perish  in  the  vapours  underneath, 
For,  God  pleadeth  with  the  deaf,  as  having  cars  to  hear, 
Christ  speaketh  to  the  dead,  as  those  that  are  capable  of  living; 
And  an  evil  teacher  is  that  man,  a  temi)ter  to  much  sin. 
Who  looketh  on    his   hearers  with  distrust,  and   hath  no  confidence  in 

brethren. 
All  may  mend  ;  and  sympathies  are  healing ;  and  reason  hath  its  influence 

with  the  worst ; 
And  in  those  worst  is  ample  hope,  if  only  thou  have  charity,  and  faith. 

Somewhiles  have  I  watched  a  man  cx:;hanging  the  sobriety  of  faith, 


224  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Old  Ironps  for  new, — even  for  fanatical  excitements. 

IIo  gained  surface,  but  lost  solidity  ;  heat, 'in  lieu  of  health  ; 

And  still  with  swelling  words  and  tlioughts  he  scorned  his  ancient  coldness : 

But  his  strengtli  was  siiorn  as  Samson's  ;  lie  wallced  he  knew  not  whither ; 

Doubt  was  on  his  daily  path ;  and  duties  showed  not  certain. 

Until,  in  an  liour  of  enthusiasm,  stung  with  secret  fears, 

lie  pinned  the  safety  of  his  soul  on  some  fake  prophet's  sleeve. 

And  then,  that  sure  v<"ord  failed ;  and  with  it  failed  his  faitii ; 

It  iliiled,  and  fell ;  O  deep  and  dreadful  v;as  his  fall  in  faith. 

lie  could  not  stop,  with  reason's  rein,  his  coursers  on  the  slope, 

And  so  they  daslied  him  down  the  chft"  of  hardened  unbelief. 

With  overreaching  grasp  he  had  strained  for  visionary  treasures, 

Br.t  a  fiend  had  cheated  his  presumption,  and  hurled  him  to  despair ; 

So  he  lay  in  his  blood,  the  victim  of  a  credulous  false  faith. 

And  many  niglits,  and  night-like  days,  he  dwelt  in  outer  darkness, 

But,  within  a  while,  his  variable  mind  caught  a  now  impression, 

A  new  impression  of  the  good  old  stamp,  that  scaled  him  v.'hen  a  child  : 

lie  wa,s  softened,  and  abjured  his  infidelity ;  he  was  wiser,  and  despised 

his  credulity . 
And  turned  again  to  simple  faith  more  simply  tiiiin  before. 
Experience  had  declared  too  well  his  mind  was  built  of  water, 
And  so  renouncing  strengtli  m  self,  he  fixed  his  faitli  in  God. 

It  is  not  fcr  me  to  stipulate  for  creeds ;  Bible,  Church,  and  Reason, 

These  three  shall  lead  the  mind,  if  any  can,  to  truth. 

But  I  must  stipulate  for  fliith  ;  both  God  and  man  demand  it : 

Trust  is  great  in  either  world,  if  any  would  be  well. 

Verily,  the  skeptical  propen.^ity  is  an  universal  foe ; 

Sneering  piTrho  never  found,  nor  cared  to  find,  a  friend  : 

How  could  he  trust  another  ?  and  himself,  whom  would  ho  not  deceive  ? 

His  proper  gains  were  all  his  aim,  and  interests  clash  witli  kindness. 

So,  the  Bedouin  goeth  armed,  an  enemy  to  all, 

The  spear  is  stuck  beside  his  couch,  the  dagger  hid  beneath  his  pil!ov.% 

For  society,  void  of  mutual  trust,  of  credit,  and  of  fiitli. 

Would  fall  asunder  as  a  waterspout,  snapped  from  the  cloud's  attraction. 

Faith  may  rise  into  miracles  of  might,  as  some  few  wise  have  shown : 
Faith  may  sink  into  credulities  of  weakness,  as  the  mass  of  fools  have 
witnessed, 


OF  FAITH.  225 

Therefore,  in  the  first,  saints  and  martjTs  have  fulfilled  their  mission, 

Conquering  d:Lngers,  courting  deaths,  and  triumphing  in  all. 

Therefore,  in  tlie  last,  the  magician  and  the  wilch,  victims  of  their  own 

delusion, 
Have  g.'.insd  the  bitter  wages  of  impracticable  sins. 
They  believed  in  allegiance  with  Sat;\n  ;  they  worked  in  that  bolief, 
And  thereby  earned  the  loss  and  harai  of  guilt  tl  at  might  net  Ix^, 
For,  faith  hath  two  hands ;  with  the  one  it  .iddetli  viitue  to  indifferent^ ; 
Yea,  it  sanctified  a  Judith  and  a  Jacl,  for  what  otherwise  v.-ero  treachery 

and  murder : 
Willi  the  other  hand  it  heapeth  crime  even  on  impossibles  or  si.mplcs, 
And  many  a  wizard  well  deserved  the  faggot  for  his  faith  : 
He  trusted  in  his  intercourse  with  evil,  he  sacrificed  heartily  to  fiends, 
He  withered  up  with  curses  to  the  limit  of  his  will,  anJ  was  vile,  becauso 

he  thought  himself  a  villain. 

A  great  mind  is  ready  to  believe,  for  he  hungereth  to  feed  on  fact?, 

And  the  gnawing  stomach  of  his  ignorance  craveth  mireasing  to  be  filled  : 

A  little  mind  is  boastful  and  incredulous,  for  he  fancieth  all  knowledge  is 

his  own. 
So  will  he  Cflvil  at  a  truth ;  how  should  it  be  tnic,  and  he  not  know  it  ? — 
There  is  an  easy  scheme,  to  solve  all  riddles  by  the  sensual, 
And  thus,  despising  mysteries,  to  feel  the  more  sufScient : 
For  it  comforteth  tlic  foul  hard  heart,  to  reject  the  pure  unseen, 
And  rclieveth  the  dull  soft  head,  to  hinder  one  from  gazing  upon  vacancy. 
True  wisdom,  labouring  to  expound,  Iicarcth  others  readily  ; 
False  wisdom,  sturdy  to  deny,  closeth  up  her  mind  to  argument. 
Tlie  sum  of  certainties  is  found  so  small,  their  field  so  wide  an  universe, 
That  many  things  may  truly  be,  which  man  hath  not  conceived  : 
The  characters  revealed  of  God  are  a  strong  mind's  sole  assurance 
That  any  strangeness  may  not  stand  a  sober  theme  for  faith. 
Ignorance  being  light  denied,  this  ought  to  shov.-  tlie  stronger  in  its  view, 
But  ignorance  is  commonly  a  double  negjitive,  both  of  light  and  morals : 
So.  adding  vanity  to  blindness,  for  ease  it  taketli  refuge  in  a  doubt, 
And  aching  scon  witli  ceaseless  doubt,  it  finishcth  tlic  strife  by  misbc- 

Ueving. 

Faith,  by  its  verj'  nature,  shall  embrace  both  credence  and  obedience : 
Yea,  tho  word  for  both  is  one,  aad  cannot  ho  divided.  C^^> 

10* 


226  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

For,  work  void  of  faith,  wherein  can  it  be  counted  for  a  duty  ? 

And  faith  not  seen  in  work, — whereby  can  the  doctrine  be  discovered  ? 

Faith  in  religion  is  an  instrument ;  a  handle,  and  the  hand  to  turn  it ; 

Less  a  condition  than  a  mean,  and  more  an  opera';ion  than  a  virtue. 

A  moral  sickness,  like  to  sin,  must  have  a  moral  cure ; 

And  foith  alone  can  heal  the  mind,  whose  malady  is  sense. 

Ye  are  told  of  God's  deep  love  ;  they  that  believe  will  love  him  ; 

They  that  love  him,  will  obey  ;  and  obedience  hatli  its  blessing. 

Ye  are  taught  of  the  soul's  great  price  :  they  that  believe  will  prize  it, 

And,  prizing  soul,  will  cherish  well  the  hopes  that  make  it  happy. 

Effects  spring  from  feelings  :  and  feelings  grow  of  faith  : 

If  a  man  conceive  himself  insulted,  will  not  his  anger  suite  ? 

Thus,  let  a  soul  believe  his  state,  his  danger,  destiny,  redemption, 

Will  he  not  feel  eager  to  be  safe,  like  him  that  kept  the  prison  at  Philippi  ? 

A  mother  had  an  only  son,  and  sent  hiiii  out  to  sea: 

Hhe  was  a  widow,  and  in  penury ;  and  he  must  seek  his  fortunes. 

How  cfcen  in  the  wintry  nights,  when  waves  and  winds  were  howling, 

Her  heart  was  torn  with  sickening  dread,  and  bled  to  see  her  boy. 

And  on  one  sunny  morn,  when  all  around  was  comfort, 

News  came  tliat,  weeks  agone,  the  vessel  had  been  wrecked ; 

Yea,  wrecked,  and  he  was  dead  I  they  had  seen  him  perisli  in  his  agony : 

Oh  tJ)cn,  what  agony  was  like  to  hers, — for  she  believed  the  tale  ? 

She  v/as  bowed  and  broken  down  with  sorrow,  and  uncomforted  in  prayer ; 

Many  nights  she  mourned,  and  pined,  and  had  no  hope  but  death. 

But  on  a  day,  while  sorely  she  was  weeping,  a  stranger  broke  upon  her 

loneliness, — 
He  had  nev/s  to  tell,  that  weather-beaten  man,  and  must  not  be  denied : 
And  what  were  tiie  v.onder-working  words  that  made  this  mourner  joyous, 
That  swept  her  heaviness  away,  and  filled  her  wc-Jd  with  praise  ? 
Her  son  was  saved, — is  alive, — is  near  ! — O  did  slie  stop  to  question  ? 
No,  rushing  in  the  force  of  faith,  she  met  liim  at  the  door ! 


OF    HONESTY. 

All  is  vanity  which  is  not  honesty ; — thus  is  it  graven  on  the  tomb  ;— 
And  there  is  no  wisdom  but  in  piety ; — so  the  dead  man  preacheth : 


OF  HONESTY.  227 

For,  in  a  simple  villag?  church,  among  tliose  classic  shades 

Which  sylvan  Evelyn  loved  to  rear,  (his  praise  and  my  delight,) 

These,  the  words  of  truth,  are  writ  upon  !iis  s"!palchr3 

Who  hMrnt  much  lore,  and  knew  all  trs?s  from  the  cedar  to  the  hys:op 

on  iho  wall. 
A  ju'^t  conjun'";ion,  god'inefs  and  honesty,  minist-^rincr  to  hoth  world-. 
Well  v.Td,  and  ill  to  b?  divided,  a  pair  that  God  hath  joined  tosrotlier. 
I  tor.ch  not  now  the  valgar  thought,  as  of  tricks  and  chcateries  in  trade  ; 
J  speak  of  hone-t  purpise,  character,  speech  and  action  : 
For  an  honest  man  hath  special  need  of  charity,  and  prudence, 
or  a  c'e^p  and  humbling  self-acquaintance,  and  of  blessed  commerce  witli 

his  God, 
So  t'liat  the  keennesses  of  truth  may  be  freed  from  asperities  of  censure, 
And  the  just  btit  vacillating  mind  be  not  made  the  pendulum  of  argim^ents  : 
For  a  false  reason,  shrewdly  put,  can  often  not  be  answerer!  on  the  instant. 
And  prudence  lookcth  unto  faith,  content  to  wait  solutions: 
Yea,  it  lookefh,  yea,  it  waiteth,  still  holding  honesty  in  leash, 
Lest,  as  a  hot  voang  hound,  it  track  not  game,  but  vermin. 
Many  a  man  of  honest  heart,  but  ignorant  of  self  and  God, 
Hath  followed  the  marsh-fires  of  pestilence,  esteeming  them  the  lights  of 

tr  ith  ; 
He  heard  a  cause,  which  he  had  not  skill  to  solve, — and  so  received  it 

gladly. 
And  that  cause  brought  its  consequence  of  harm  to  an  unstab'e  soul. 
Prudence  for  a  man's  own  sake,  never  should  be  separate  from  lionesty 
And  charity,  for  other's  good  and  his,  must  still  be  joined  therewith  : 
For  the  harshly  chiding  tongue  hath  neither  pleasuring  nor  profit. 
And  the  cold  unsympathizing  heart  never  g-ained  a  good. 
Sin  is  a  sore,  and  folly  is  a  fever ;  touch  them  tenderly  for  healing ; 
The  bad  chirurgeon's  awkward  knife  harmeth  spite  of  honesty. 
Still,  a  rough  diamond  is  better  than  the  polished  paste, — 
That  courteous,  flattering  fool,  who  spake  of  vice  as  virtue : 
And  honesty,  even  by  itself,  though  making  many  adversaries, 
Whom  prudence  might  have  set  aside,  or  charity  have  softened, 
Evermore  will  prosper  at  the  last,  and  gain  a  man  great  honour 
By  giving  others  many  goods,  to  his  own  cost  and  hindrance. 

Freedom  is  father  of  the  honest,  and  sturdy  Independence  is  his  brother: 
These  three,  with  heart  and  hand,  dwell  together  in  unity. 


223  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

The  blunt  yeoman,  stout  and  true,  will  speak  unto  princes  unabashed : 

His  mind  is  loyal,  just  and  free,  a  crystal  in  its  plain  integrity ; 

What  should  make  such  an  one  ashamed  ?  where  courtiers  kneel,  he 

standetii ; — 
I  will  indeed  bow  before  the  kinjr,  but  knees  were  knit  for  God. 
And  many  such  there  be.  of  a  high  and  noble  conscience, 
ITonourable,  generous,  and  kind,  though  ble:sscd  with  little  light: 
What  should  he  barter  for  his  freedom  ?  some  petty  gain  of  gold  ? 
Free  of  speecli,  and  free  in  act,  magnates  honour  him  for  boldness : 
Long  may  he  uotirish  in  his  peace,  and  a  st^ilwart  race  around  him, 
Rooted  in  the  soil  like  oaks,  and  hardy  as  tlie  pine  upon  the  mountains ! 

Yet,  there  be  others,  that  will  truckle  to  a  lie,  selling  honesty  for  interest : 

And  do  they  gain  ? — they  gain  but  loss ;  a  little  cash,  with  scorn. 

Behold,  the  sorrowful  change  wrought  upon  a  fallen  nature : 

He  liath  lost  liis  own  esteem,  and  other  men's  respect ; 

For  the  buoyancy  of  upriglit  fiiith,  ho  is  clothed  in  the  heaviness  of 

cringing ; 
For  plain  trutli  where  none  could  err,  he  hath  chosen  tortuous  paths ; 
In  lieu  of  his  majesty  of  countenance — the  timorous  glances  of  servility  : 
Instead  of  Freedom's  honest  pride, — the  spirit  of  a  slave. 

Nevertheless,  there  is  somewhat  to  be  pleaded,  even  for  a  nec«ssarj'  guile, 

Whilst  the  world,  and  all  that  is  therein,  lieth  deep  in  evil. 

Who  can  be  altogether  honest, — a  chamjuon  never  out  of  mail, 

Ready  to  braak  a  lance  for  truth  with  every  crowding  error  ? 

Who  can  be  alcogetlier  honest, — dragging  out  the  secrecies  of  life, 

And  risking  to  be  lashed  and  loathed  for  each  unkind  disclosure  ? 

Who  can  be  altogctlier  honest, — living  in  perpetual  contentions. 

And  prying  out  the  petty  cheats  that  swell  the  social  scheme  ? 

For  he  must  speak  his  instant  mind, — a  mind  corrupt  and  sinful, 

Exhibiting  to  other  men's  disgust  its  undisguised  defonnities ; 

He  must  utter  all  the  hatred  of  liis  heart,  find  add  to  it  the  venom  of  his 

tongue ; 
Skill  he  feel,  and  Iiide  hisc  feelings  ?   that  were  tlie  meanness  of  a  hypo- 
crite.— 
Still,  O  man,  such  hypocrisy  is  bettor  than  this  bold  honesty  to  fin : 
Kill  the  feeling,  or  coaceal  it :  let  shame  at  least  do  the  work  of  charity. 
O  charity,  thou  livest  not  ia  warnings,  paeddling  annoiig  men, 


OF  HONESTY.  229 

Rebuking  every  foolish  word,  and  censuring  small  ijin?  ; 
This  is  not  thy  secret, — rather  wilt  thou  hide  their  multitude, 
And  silence  the  condi'mning  tongue,  and  wearisome  exhortation, 
But  for  thee,  thy  strength  and  zeal  shine  in  encouragem(;nt  to  good, 
Lifting  up  tlte  lantern  of  ensample,  that  wanderers  may  find  the  way  : 
That  lantern  is  not  lit  to  gaze  on  all  the  hatefulness  of  evil. 
But  set  on  high  for  life  and  light,  the  loveliness  of  good. 
The  hard  censorious  mind  sitteLh  as  a  keen  anatomist, 
Trucking  up  the  fibres  in  corruption,  and  prying  on  a  fearful  corpse : 
But  the  charitable  soul  is  a  young  lover,  enamoured  little  wisely. 
That  sav/  no  fault  in  her  he  loved,  and  souglit  to  see  one  less  ; 
Ko,  in  his  kind  and  genial  light,  she  grew  more  v/orthy  of  his  love ; 
Won  to  good  by  gentle  suns,  and  not  by  frowning  tempest. 

Verily,  infirm  thyself, — be  slow  to  chide  a  brother's  imperfections : 

For  many  times  the  decent  veil  must  hang  on  faults  of  nature, 

And  the  rude  hands,  that  rend  it,  offend  against  the  modesty  of  right, 

While  seeming  zeal,  and  its  effort  to  do  good,  is  only  feigned  self-praise : 

Often  will  tiie  meannesses  of  life,  hidden  away  in  corners, 

Prove  v/isdom  ;  and  the  generous  is  glad  to  leave  tliem  unregarded  in  the 

shade. 
The  follies  none  are  found  to  prai.sc,  let  them  die  unblamed : 
Thine  honest  strife  will  only  tend  to  make  some  think  them  wise  : 
And  small  convcntion;il  deceits-,  let  them  live  uncensurcd  : 
Or  if  tliou  war  with  pigmies,  thou  shalt  haply  help  the  cranes. 
Where  to  i;e  blind  was  safety,  Ovid  had  been  wi^^j  for  winking:  (^') 
And  v.-hen  ix  tell-tale  might  do  'lann,  be  sure  it  is  prudent  to  be  dumb : 
That  which  is  just  and  fit  is  often  found  combating  witli  honesty  ; 
In  the  cause  of  good,  bo  wise ;  and  in  a  case  indifferent,  keep  silence. 

Let  honesty's  unblushing  face  be  shaded  by  the  mantle  of  humility. 

So  shall  it  shine  a  lamp  of  love,  and  not  the  torch  of  strife  : 

Otherwise  the  lantern  of  Diogenes,  presumptuously  thrust  before  the 

face, 
If  it  never  find  an  hcnest  man,  shall  often  make  an  angered. 
Let  honesty  Iw  companied  by  charity  of  heart,  lest  it  walk  unwelcome, 
Or  the  mouthing  censor  of  others  and  himself,  scon  sliall  sink  to  scorn. 
Lot  honesty  bo  added  unto  innoconce  of  life  :  then  a  man  m\y  only  be  it« 

martyr : 


230  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

But  if  openness  of  spcccli  be  found  with  secrecy  of  guilt,  the  martyr  wil 
be  S3en  a  maletiictor. 

There  is  a  cunning  scheme,  to  put  on  surface  biuntness, 

And  cover  still  deep  water,  with  iho  clamorous  ripples  of  a  shallow. 

For  a  man,  to  gain  liis  saltish  end-,  will  make  a  sUilking-horse  of  honesty  ; 

And  hide  liis  poac!ii:ig  limbs  behind,  that  he  may  cheat  the  quicker. 

Such  an  one  is  loud  and  ostentatious,  full  of  oaths  for  argument, 

B;\a?tful  of  hoi'.oi.r  and  sincerity,  and  not  to  be  put  down  by  ficts : 

He  is  obstinate,  anil  showeth  it  lor  firmness  ;  he  is  rude,  displaying  it  for 

tr,;th  : 
And  glorieth  in   doggedness  of  temper,  as  if  it  were    uncompromising 

jr.stice. 
He  aware  of  such  a  man  ;  his  brawling  covereth  designs  ; 
'i'his  specious  show  of  honesty  cometh  as  the  herald  of  a  thief: 
His  feint  is  made  with  awkward  c'ashing  on  the  buckler's  boss, 
Cu.t  meanwhile  doth  his  secret  skill  ensure  its  fatal  aim. 
Tiiis  is  the  hypocrite  of  honesty  ;  ye  may  knovv  him  by  an  overacted 

part ; 
Taking  pains  to  turn  and  twist,  where  other  men  walk  straight ; 
Or  walking  straight,  he  will  not  step  aside  to  let  another  pass. 
But  roughly  pushcth  on,  provoking  opposition  on  the  way  ; 
He  is  full  of  disquietude  lor  calmness,  full  cf  intriguing  for  simplicity. 
Valorous  with  those  wlio  cannot  fight,  and  humble  to  the  brave  : 
Where  brotherly  advice  were  good,  this  man  rudely  blameth, 
And  on  some  small  occasion,  flattereth  with  coarse  praise. 
The  craven  in  a  lion's  skin  hath  conquered  by  his  character  for  courage ; 
»Sheei)'s  clothing  helped  the  wolf,  till  he  slew  by  his  character  for  kind- 


For  honesty  hath  many  gains,  and  well  the  wise  have  known 

This  will  jirosper  to  the  end,  and  fill  their  house  with  gold. 

The  phosphorus  of  cheatery  will  fade,  and  all  its  profit  perish, 

While  honesty,  with  glowing  light,  endureth  as  the  moon. 

Yea,  it  would  bo  wise  in  a  world  of  thieves,  where  cheating  were  a 

virtue. 
To  dare  the  vice  of  honesty,  if  any  would  be  rich. 
For  that  which  by  the  laws  of  God  is  heightened  into  duty, 
jEver,  in  the  practice  of  a  man,  will  be  seen  both  policy  and  privilege. 


OF  SOCIETY.  231 

Thank  God,  ye  toilers  for  your  bread,  in  that,  daily  labouring, 

He  hath  suflercd  the  bubbles  of  scK-interest  to  float  upon  the  stream  of 

duty : 
For  honesty,  of  every  kind,  approved  by  God  and  man. 
Of  wealth  and  better  weal  is  found  the  richest  cornucopia. 
Tempered  by  humbleness  and  charity,  honesty  of  speech  h;ith  honour ; 
And  mingled  well  with  prudence,  honesty  of  purpose  hath  its  praise  : 
Trust  paveth  homage  unto  truth,  rewarding  honesty  of  action : 
And  all  men  love  to  lean  on  him,  who  never  failed  nor  fainted. 
Frerdom  glowotli  in  his  eyes,  and  nobleness  of  nature  at  his  heart, 
And  Indepon  lence  took  a  crown  and  fixed  it  on  his  head  : 
So,  he  stood  in  his  intregrity,  just  and  firm  of  purpose, 
Aiding  many,  fearing  none,  a  spectacle  to  angels,  and  to  men  : 
Yea, — when  the  shattered  globe  shall  rock  in  the  throes  of  dissolution, 
Still,  will  he  stand  in  his  integrity,  sublime — an  honest  man. 


OF    SOCIETY. 

Better  is  the  mass  of  men.  Suspicion,  than  thy  fears 

Kinder  than  thy  t'lought"^,  O  chilling  heart  of  Prudence, 

Purer  than  thy  judgments,  ascetic  tongue  of  censure, 

In  all  things  worthier  to  love,  if  not  also  wiser  to  esteem. 

Yea,  let  the  moralist  condemn,  there  be  large  extenuations  of  his  verdict. 

Let  the  misanthrope  shun  men  and  abjure,  the  most  are  rather  loveable 

than  hateful. 
How  many  pleasant  faces  shed  their  light  on  every  side! 
How  many  angels  unawares  have  crossed  thy  casual  way  ! 
How  often,  in  thy  journeyings,  hast  thou  made  thee  instant  friends. 
Found,  to  be  loved  a  little  while,  and  lost,  to  meet  no  more; 
Friends  of  happy  reminiscence,  althou^rh  so  transient  in  their  converse, 
Liberal,  cheerful,  and  sincere,  a  crowd  of  kindly  traits. 
I  have  sped  by  land  and  sea,  and  mingled  with  much  ])oople, 
But  never  yet  could  find  the  spot  imsunned  by  human  kindness  : 
Some  more  and  some  less, — but,  truly,  all  can  claim  a  little  ; 
And  a  man  may  travel  through  the  world,  and  sow  it  thick  with  friend- 
ships. 


232  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

There  be  indeecl,  to  say  it  in  all  sorrow,  bad  opostato  souls, 
Deserted  of  their  ministering  angels,  and  givon  up  to  hberty  of  sin, — 
And  otlier  some,  the  miserly  and  mean,  wliose  eyes  are  keen  and  greedy, 
With  stony  hearts,  and  iron  fists,  to  filch,  and  scrape,  and  clutch, — ■ 
And  others  yet  again,  the  coarse  in  mind,  selfish,  sensual,  brutish, 
Seeming  as  incapable  of  softer  thought=,  and  dead  to  bettor  deeds  ; 
Such,  no  lover  of  the  good,  no  follower  of  the  generous  and  gentle, 
Can  nearer  grow  to  love,  than  may  consist  with  pity. 
Few  verily  arc  these  amon^i;  tha  mass,  and  cast  in  fouler  moulds. 
Few  and  poor  in  friends,  and  well-deserving  of  their  poverty  : 
Yet,  or  ever  thou  hast  harshly  judged,  and  linked  their  presence  to  disgust, 
Consider  well  the  thousand  things  that  made  them  all  they  are. 
Thou  hast  not  thought  upon  the  causes,  ranged  in  consecutive  necessity, 
Which  tended  long  to  these  effects,  with  sure  constraining  power. 
For  each  of  those  unlovely  ones,  if  thou  couldst  hear  his  story. 
Hath  ranch  to  urge  of  just  excuse,  at  least  as  men  count  justice  : 
Foolish    education,    tiiwarted    opportunities,    natural     propensities    un- 
checked,— 
Thus  were  they  discouraged  from  all  good,  and  pampered  in  their  evil : 
And  if  thou  wilt  apprehend  them  well,  tenderly  looking  on  tem])tation3, 
Bearing  the  base  indulgently,  and  liberally  dealing  with  the  froward, 
Thou  shalt  discern  a  few  fair  fruits  even  upon  trees  so  withered, 
Thou  shalt  understand  how  some  may  praise,  and  some  be  found  to  love 
tliem. 

Nevertheless  for  these,  my  counsel  is.  Avoid  them  if  thou  canst ; 

For  the  finer  edges  of  thy  virtues  will  be  dulled  by  attrition  with  their 

vice. 
And  there  is  an  enemy  within  thee  ;  either  to  palliate  their  sin. 
Until,  for  surface  sweetness,  thou  too  art  drawn  adown  the  vertex ; 
Or,  even  unto  fatal  pride,  to  glorify  thy  purity  by  contrast. 
Until  the  publican  and  the  harlot  stand  nearer  heaven  than  the  Pliarisee  : 
Or  daily  strife  against  their  ill,  in  subtleness  may  irritate  thy  soul, 
And  in  that  strugsjle  thou  shalt  fail,  even  through  infirmity  of  goodness ; 
Or,  callous  by  continuanc-e  of  injuries,  thou  wilt  cease  to  pardon, 
Cease  to  fee!,  and  cease  to  care,  a  cold  case-hardened  man. 
Beware  of  their  example, — and  thine  own ;  beware  the  hazards  of  the 

battle ; 
But  chiefly  be  thou  ware  of  this,  an  unforgiving  spirit 


OF  SOCIETY.  233 

Many  are  the  dangers  and  temptations  compassing  a  bad  man's  presence : 
The  upas  hath  a  poi.sonoiis  shade,  and  who  would  slumber  there  ? 
Wiierefore,  avoid  them  if  thou  canst;  only,  under  providence  antl  duty, 
If  thy  lot  be  cast  with  Kedar,  patiently  and  silently  live  to  their  rebuke. 

How  beautiful  ihy  feet,  and  full  of  grace  tliy  coming, 
O  better,  kind  companion,  that  art  well  for  either  world ! 
Tliere  is  an  atmosphere  of  happiness  flonting  round  that  man, 
Love  is  throned  upon  his  heart,  and  liglit  is  found  within  his  dwelling, 
His  eyes  are  rayed  with  psacefulness,  and  wisdom  waiteth  on  his  tongue ; 
Seek  him  out,  cherish  him  well,  w^alking  in  the  halo  of  his  influence  ; 
For  he  shall  be  fragrance  to  tliy  soul,  <i3  a  garden  of  sweet  lilies, 
Hedged  and  apart  from  the  outer  world,  an  island  of  the  blest  among  the  seas. 

There  is  an  outer  world,  and  there  is  an  inner  centre ; 
And  many  varying  rings  concentric  round  the  self: 
For,  first,  about  a  man, — after  his  communion  with  heaven, — 
Is  found  the  helpmate  even  as  himself,  the  wife  of  his  vows  and  his  affec- 
tions : 
See  then  that  ye  love  in  faith,  scorning  petty  je;dousies, 
For  Satan  spoileth  too  much  love,  by  soaring  it  with  doubts ;. 
See  that  intimacy  die  not  to  indifference,  nor  aiixiety  sink  into  moroseness. 
And  tend  ye  well  the  mutual  minds  bound  in  a  copartnership  for  life. 

Ncxtof  tliose  concentric  circles,  radiating  widely  in  circumference, 

Wheel  in  wheel,  and  world  in  w-orld, — come  the  i)and  of  children  : 

A  tender  nest  of  soft  young  hearts,  each  to  be  separately  studied, 

A  curious  eager  flock  of  minds,  to  be  severally  tamed  and  tutored. 

And  a  man,  blest  with  these,  hath  made  his  own  society, 

He  is  indep-endent  of  the  world,  hanging  on  his  friends  more  loosely  : 

For  the  little  fiices  round  Iiis  hearth  are  friends  enow  for  him. 

If  he  seek  others,  it  is  for  tiie  sake  of  these,  and  less  for  his  own  pleasure. 

Wliat  companionship  so  sweet,  yea,  who  can  toacli  so  v/oU 

As  these  pure  budding  intellects,  and  bright  unsullied  hearts  ? 

What  voice  so  musical  as  theirs,  what  visions  of  elegance  so  comely, 

What  thoughts  and  hopes  and  holy  prayers,  ca'n  otliers  cause  like  these  ? 

If  ye  count  society  for  pastime, — what  happier  recreation  than  a  nursling, 

lis  winning  v/ays.  its  prattling  tongue,  its  innocence  and  mirth  ? 

If  ye  count  society  for  good, — how  fair  a  field  is  here, 

To  guide  these  souls  to  God,  and  multiply  thyself  for  heaven ! 


234  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

And  this  sweet  social  commerce  with  thy  children,  growcth  as  theh 

growth, 
Unloas  thou  fail  of  duty,  or  have  weaned  them  by  thine  absence. 
Keep  them  near  thee,  rear  tliom  well,  guide,  correct,  instruct  them  : 
And  be  the  playmate  of  their  games,  the  judge  in  their  complainings. 
So  shall  the  maiden  ani  the  youth  love  thee  as  their  sympathizing  friend. 
And  bring  their  joys  to  share  with  thee,  their  sorrows  for  consoling : 
Yea,  their  inmost  hopes  shall  yearn  to  thee  for  counsel. 
They  will  not  liide  their  very  loves  if  thou  hast  won  their  trust ; 
Rut,  even  as  man  and  woman,  shall  they  gladly  seek  their  father, 
Feeling  yet  as  children  feel,  though  void  of  fear  in  honour  : 
And  thou  shait  be  a  Nestor  in  the  camp,  the  just  and  good  olJ  man, 
TIeiirty  still,  though  full  of  years,  and  held  the  friend  of  all ; 
No  secret  shall  bo  kept  from  thee  ;  for  if  ill,  thy  wisdom  may  repair  it ; 
If  well,  thy  praise  is  precious ;  and  they  would  not  miss  that  prize. 
O  the  blessing  of  a  home,  where  old  and  young  mix  kindly. 
The  young  unawed,  the  old  nnchilled,  in  unreserved  communion  ! 

0  that  refuge  from  the  world,  when  a  .stricken  son  or  daughter 
May  seek,  with  confidence  of  love,  a  father's  hearth  and  heart ! 

Sure  of  a  welcome,  though  otlicrs  cast  them  out ;  of  kindness,  though 

men  scorn  them  ; 
And  finding  there  the  last  to  blame,  the  earliest  to  commend. 
Come  unto  me,  my  son,  if  sin  shall  iiave  tempted  thee  astray, 

1  will  not  chide  thee  like  the  rest,  but  help  thee  to  return ; 
Come  unto  me,  my  son,  if  men  rebuke  and  mock  thee, 
There  always  shall  bo  one  to  bless, — for  I  am  on  thy  side  ! 

Alas, — .ind  bitter  is  their  loss,  tlic  parents  and  the  children, 
Who,  loving  up  and  down  the  world,  have  missed  each  other's  friend.ship. 
Haply,  it  had  grown  of  careless  life,  for  years  go  swiftly  by; 
Or  sprang  of  too  much  carefulness,  that  drank  u.n  all  the  streams: 
Haply,  sullen  disappointment  came  and  quenched  the  fire; 
Haply,  sternness  or  misrule,  crushed  or  warped  the  feelings. 
Then,  ill-combined  in  tempers,  they  leamt  not  each  the  other ; 
The  growing  child  grew  out  of  love,  and  drew  the  breath  of  fear ; 
The  youth  ill-trained  renounced  his  fears,  and  made  a  league  with  cun- 
ning ; 
And  so  tliose  hardened  men  were  foes,  that  should  have  boon  cliief  friends. 
Where  was  the  cause,  the  mutual  caase !     O  hunt  it  out  to  kill  it : 


OF  SOCIETY.  235 

And  what  the  cure,  the  simple  cure  ? — A  mutual  flash  of  love. 

For  dull  estrangernant's  daily  air  froz3  up  those  syinpathiea 

By  cold  continuance  in  apathy,  or  cutting  winds  of  censure ; 

It  was  a  slow  process,  which  any  fleeting  Iiour  could  have  melted ; 

But  cveiy  hour  duly  came  and  passed  without  the  sun. 

Caution,  care,  and  dry  distrust,  obscured  each  other's  mind. 

Til!  both  those  gardens  rich  to  yield,  were  rank  with  many  weeds : 

And  do;'.l)t,  a  hidden  worm,  gnawed  at  the  root  of  their  Society, 

They  lacked  of  mutual  confidsnce,  and  lived  in  mutual  dread. 

Judge  me,  many  fathers  ;  and  hearken  to  my  counsel,  many  sons  ; 

I  come  witli  good  in  either  hand,  to  reconcile  contentions : 

For  better  friends  can  no  man  have,  than  those  whom  (iod  hath  given, 

And  he  that  hath  despised  t!ic  gift,  tlio'.ight  ill  of  that  he  knew  not. 

Be  ye  wiser, — (I  speak  unto  the  sons) — and  win  patemal  friendships, 

Cultivate  their  kindness,  seek  them  out  with  honour,  and  be  the  screening 

Japheth  to  their  failings  : 
And  be  ye  wiser, — (I  speak  unto  the  fathers.) — gain  those  filial  comrades. 
Cherish  their  reasonable  converse,  and  look  not  with  coldness  on   your 

children. 
For  the  friendship  of  a  child  is  the  brightest  gem  set  upon  the  circlet  of 

Society, 
A  jewel  wortii  a  world  of  pains, — a  jewel  seldom  seen. 

The  third  cycle  on  the  Avatcrs,  another  of  those  rings  upon  the  onyx, 

A  further  definite  broad  zone,  holdeth  kith  and  kin  ; 

A  motley  band  of  many  tribes,  and  under  various  banners  ; 

The  intimate  and  strangers,  the  known  and  loved,  or  only  seen  for  loath- 
ing : 

Some,  dear  for  their  deserts,  shall  honor.r  and  have  honour  of  relation- 
ship, 

Some,  de.-pising  duties,  will  add  to  it  both  burden  and  disgrace. 

A  man's  nearest  kin  are  oftentimes  for  other  than  his  dearest, 

Yet  in  the  season  of  affliction  those  will  haste  to  help  him. 

For,  note  thou  this,  the  providence  of  God  hath  bound  up  families  to- 
gether, 

To  mutual  aid  and  patient  trial ;  yea,  those  ties  are  strong, 

Friends  are  ever  dearer  in  thy  wealth,  but  relations  to  be  trusted  in  thy 
need, 

For  these  are  God's  appointed  way,  and  those  the  choice  of  man. 


236  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

There  is  lower  wannth  in  the  kin,  but  smaller  truth  in  friends, 
The  latter  show  more  surface,  and  the  first  have  n.ore  of  depth. 
Relations  rally  to  the  rescue,  even  in  estrangement  and  neglect, 
Wliere  friends  will  have  lied  at  thy  defeat,  even  after  promises  and  kind- 
ness. 
For  friends  come  and  go,  the  Vvhim  that  bound  may  loose  them, 
But  none  can  dissever  a  relationship,  and  Fate  hath  tied  the  knoL 

Wide,  and  edged  with  shadowy  bounds,  a  distant  boulevard  to  the  city, 

The  common  crowd  of  social  life  is  buzzUng  round  about ; 

That  is  as  the  outer  court,  with  all  defences  levelled. 

Ranged  around  a  man's  own  fortress,  and  his  father's  house. 

For  many  friends  go  in  and  out,  and  praise  thee,  finding  pasture. 

And  some  arc  honey-comb  to-day,  who  turn  to  gall  to-morrow  : 

And  many  a  garrulous  acquaintance  with  frequent  visit 

Will  spend  his  leisure  to  thy  cost,  selling  dullness  dearly : 

For  the  idle  call  is  a  heavy  tax,  where  time  is  counted  gold, 

And  even  in  the  daj^  of  relaxation,  haply  he  may  spars  his  presence, — 

He  found  himself  alone,  and  came  to  talk, — till  they  that  hear  are  tired  ; 

Let  the  man  bethink  him  of  an  errand,  that  his  face  be  not  unwelcome. 

But  many  friends  there  be,  both  well  and  Vi'isely  greeted. 

Gladly  a.re  they  hailed  uptjn  the  liills,  and  are  chidden  that  they  come   sc 

seldom. 
Of  such  are  the  early  recollections,  schoolfriendsliips  that  ha\e  thriven  tc 

gray  hairs, 
And  veteran  men  are  young  once  more,  and  talk  of  boyish  pranks ; 
And  such,  yet  older  on  the  list,  are  those  who  loved  thy  lather, 
Thy  father's  friend,  and  thine,  who  tendereth  thee  tried  love  : 
Such  also,  many  gentle  hearts,  whom  thou  hast  known  too  lately, 
Hastening  now  to  learn  their  wortli,  and  chary  of  those  minutes  ; 
And  such  thy  faithfi  J  pastor,  coming  to  thy  home  with  peace, — 
Greet  the  good  nian  heartily, — and  bid  thy  children  bless  him  ! 

Many  thouglit.<,  many  thoughts, — ^who  can  catch  them  all  ? 

The  best  are  ever  swiftest-winged,  the  duller  lag  behind ; 

For  behold,  iu  these  vast  themes,  my  mind  is  as  a  forest  of  the  West, 

And  flocking  pigeons  come  in  clouds,  and  bend  the  groaning  branches ; 

Here  for  a  rest,  then  off  and  away, — they  have  sped  to  other  climes, 


OF  SOLITUDE.  237 

And  leave  me   lo  rr.j-  peace  crce  ir.crc,  a  hcliday  ftcm  thoughts. 
I  dare  not  lure  them  back,  for  the  mighty  subject  of  Society 
Would  tempt  to  many  a  hackneyed  note  in  m.any  a  weary  key  : 
Sage  warmings,  stout  advice,  experiences  ever  to  be  learned, 
The  foolish  floatiness  of  vanity,  and  solemn  trumperies  of  pride, — 
Economy,  the  poor  man's  mint, — extravagance,  tlie  rich  man's  pitfall, 
Harmful  copings  with  the  better,  and  empty-headed  apings  of  the  worse, 
Circumstance  and  custom,  sympathies,  antipathies,  diverse  kinds  of  con- 
versation. 
Vapid  pleasures,  the  wearines  of  gayety,  the  strife  and  bustle  of  the  world, 
Home  comforts,  the  miseries  of  style,  the  cobweb  lines  of  etiquette, 
The  hoUowness  of  courtesies,  and  substance  of  deceits, — idleness,  business, 

and  pastime, — 
The  multitude  of  matters  to  be  done,  the  v.'hen,  and  where,  and  how, 
And  varj'ing  shades  of  characters,  to  do,  undo,  or  miss  them, — 
All  these,  and  many  more  alike,  thick  converging  fancies. 
Flit  in  throngs  about  my  theme,  as  honey-bees  at  even  to  their  hive. 
Find  an  end,  or  make  one ;  these  seeds  are  dragon's  teeth : 
Sown  thoughts  grow  to  things,  and  fill  that  field,  the  world  ; 
Many  wise  have  gone  before,  and  used  the  sickle  well : 
Who  can  find  a  corner  now,  where  none  have  bound  the  sheaves  ? 
So,  other  some  m:iy  reap  :  I  do  but  glean  and  gather : 
My  sorry  handful  hath  been  culled  after  the  ripe  harvest  of  Society, 


OF    SOLITUDE. 

Who  hath  known  his  brother, — or  found  him  in  his  Ireedom  unrestrained  ? 
Even  he  whose  hidden  glance  hath  watched  liis  deepest  Solitude. 
For  we  walk  the  world  in  domino,  putting  on  characters  and  habits, 
And  wear  a  social  Janus-mask,  while  others  stand  around  : 
I  speak  not  of  the  hypocrite,  nor  dream  of  meant  deceptions. 
But  of  that  quick  unconscious  change,  whereof  the  best  know  most. 
For  mind  hath  its  influence  on  mind ;  and  no  man  is  free  but  when  alone  : 
Yea,  let  a  dog  be  watching  thee,  its  eye  will  tend  to  thy  restnxint. 
Self-possession  cannot  be  so  perfect,  with  another  intellect  beside  thee ; 
It  is  not  as  a  natural  result,  but  ratlier  tlie  educated  produce. 


238  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Th'^  presence  of  a  second  spirit  must  control  thino  own, 

And  throw  it  off  its  equipoise  of  peace,  to  balance  by  an  effort 

The  common  minds  of  common  men  know  of  this  but  Utile  ; 

What  then  ?  they  know  nothing  of  thgmsel;  e.> :  I  spsak  to  those  wlio  know ; 

The  consciousness  that  some  are  licaring,  comoth  as  a  care, 

The  sense  that  some  are  watching  near,  bindeth  thee  to  caution ; 

And  the  tree  of  tender  nervca  shrinketh  as  a  touched  mimosa, 

Drooping  like  a  plant  in  drought,  with  half  its  strength  decayed. 

There  are  antipathies  warning  from  the  many,  and  sympathies  drawing  to 

the  some, 
But  merchant-minds  have  crushed  the  first,  and  cannot  feel  the  latter : 
Wiiereas  to  the  quickened  apprehension  of  a  keen  and  spiritual  intellect, 
Antipathies  are  galling,  and  sympathies  oppress,  and  solitude  is  quiet. 

He  that  dwellelh  mainly  by  himself,  heedeth  most  of  others, 

But  thsy  that  live  in  crowds,  think  chiefly  of  themselves. 

There  is  indeed  a  selfi-jh  seeming,  where  the  anchorite  liveth  alone. 

But  probe  his  thoughts, — they  travel  far,  dreaming  for  ever  of  the  world  : 

And  there  is  an  apparent  generosity  when  a  man  mLxeth  freely  v/ith  his 

fellows, 
But  prove  his  mind,  by  day  and  night,  his  thoughts  are  all  of  self: 
The  world,  inciting  him  to  pleasures,  or  relentlessly  provoking  him  to  toil, 
Is  full  of  anxious  rivals,  each  with  a  difference  of  interest ; 
So  must  he  plan  and  practice  for  himself,  even  as  his  own  best  friend ; 
And  the  gay  soul  of  dissipation  never  had  a  thought  unselfish. 
Tiie  hermit  standeth  out  of  strife,  abiding  in  a  contemplative  calmness  ; 
What  sliall  he  contemplate, — himself?  a  meagre  theme  for  musing: 
He  hath  cast  off  follies,  and  kept  aloof  from  cares  ;  a  man  of  simple  wants. 
God  and  the  soul,  those  are  his  excuse,  a  just  excuse,  for  .'.olitude : 
But  he  carried  with  him  to  his  cell  the  half-dead  feelings  of  humanity; 
There  were  they  rested  and  refreshed ;  and  he  yearned  once  more  on  men. 

Where  is  the  wise,  or  the  learned,  or  the  good,  that  sought  not  solitude 

for  thinking. 
And  from  seclusion's  secret  vale  brought  forth  his  precious  fruits  ? — 
Forests  of  Aricia,  your  deep  shade  mellowed  Numa's  wisdom; 
Peaceful  gardens  of  Vaucluse,  ye  nourished  Petrarch's  love ; 
Solitude  made  a  Cincinnatus,  ripening  the  hero  and  the  patriot, 
And  taught  De  Stael  self-knowledge,  even  in  the  damp  Bastile  ;  (^*) 


OF  SOLITUDE.  233 

li;  fcsterrd  th?  piety  of  Jerome,  matured  the  labours  of  Augustine, 

Aiid  gave  imperial  Charles  religion  for  ambition : 

Tiiat  which  Scipio  praised,  that  which  Alfred  practised. 

Which  tired  Deniostlienes  to  eloquence,  and  fed  the  mind  of  Milton, 

Which  quickened  zeal,  nurtured  genius,  found  out  the  secret  things  ot 

science, 
Helped  repentance,  shamed  folly,  and  comforted  the  good  with  peace, 
By  all  men  just  and  wise,  by  all  things  pure  and  perfect. 
How  truly.  Solitude,  art  thou  the  fostering  nurse  of  greatness ! 

Enough  ; — the  theme  is  vast ;  scar  me  these  ncclcs  of  Hydra : 

What  shall  drive  away  the  thouglits  flocking  to  this  carcass  ? 

Yea, — that  all  which  man  may  think,  hatli  long  been  said  of  Solitude  ; 

For  many  wise  have  proved  and  preached  its  evils  and  its  good. 

I  cannot  add, — I  will  not  steal ;  enough,  for  all  is  spoken : 

Yet  heed  thou  these  for  praotics  an  J  discernment  among  men. 

There  are  pompous  talkers,  solemn,  oracular,  and  dull : 

Track  them  from  society  to  solitude  ;  and  there  ye  tind  them  fools. 

There  are  light-hearted  jesters,  taking  up  with  company  for  pastime  ; 

How  speed  they  when  alone  ? — serious,  wise,  and  thoughtful. 

And  wherefore  ?  both  are  actors,  saving  when  in  solitude. 

There  they  live  their  truest  life,  and  all  things  show  sincere : 

But  the  fool,  by  pomposity  of  s|x^ccli,  .striveth  to  be  counted  wise, 

And  the  wise,  for  holiday  and  pleasance,  playoth  with  the  fool's  host  bauble; 

The  solemn  scomer,  as  a  rule,  will  Ix;  found  more  ignorant  and  shallow 

Than  those  who  laugh  both  loud  and  long,  content  to  hid.^  their  knowledge. 

For  thee  ;  seek  thou  Solitude,  but  neither  in  excess,  nor  morosely ; 

Seek  her  for  her  precious  things,  and  not  of  thine  own  pride. 

For  there,  separate  from  a  crowd,  the  still  small  voice  will  talk  with  thee, 

Truth's  w'hisper,  heard  and  echoed  by  responding  conscience  ; 

There,  shalt  thou  gather  up  the  ravelled  skeins  of  feeling, 

And  mend  the  nets  of  usefulness,  and  rest  awhile  for  duties ; 

There,  shalt  thou  hive  thy  lore,  and  eat  the  fruits  of  study. 

For  Solitude  delighteth  well  to  feed  on  many  thoughts  ; 

There,  as  thou  sittest  peaceful,  communing  with  fancy, 

The  precious  poetry  of  life  shall  gild  its  leaden  cares ; 

There,  as  thou  walkest  by  the  sea,  beneath  the  gentle  stars. 


240  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

Many  kindling  seeds  of  good  will  sprout  within  thy  soul ; 

Thou  shalt  weep  in  Solitude, — thou  slialt  pray  in  Solitude, 

Tl.oa  !  halt  sing  for  joy  of  heart,  and  j)raise  tlie  grace  of  Solitude. 

Pass  on,  pass  on ! — for  tiiis  is  the  path  of  Wisdoiii : 

God  make  thee  prosper  on  the  way  :  I  leave  thee  well  with  Solitude. 


THE    END. 

Every  beginning  is  shrouded  in  a  mist,  those  vague  ideas  beyond, 
And  tlie  traveller  setteth  on  his  journey,  oppressed  witii  many  thoughts, 
Balancing  his  hopes  and  fears,  and  looking  for  some  order  in  tlic  chaos, 
Some  secret  path  between  ths  cliffs,  tliat  seem  to  bar  his  way  : 
So,  ho  commencoih  at  a  clue,  unravelling  its  tangled  skein, 
And  boldly  speedeth  on  to  thread  the  labyrinth  before  him. 
Then  as  he  gropeth  in  the  darkness,  light  is  attendant  on  his  steps, 
lie  walketh  straight  in  fervent  faith,  and  difficulties  vanish  at  his  presence ; 
The  very  flashing  of  his  sword  scattereth  those  shadowy  foes ; 
Confident  and  sanguine  of  success,  he  goeth  forth  conquering  and  to  con- 
quer. 

Eveiy  middle  is  burdened  with  a  weariness, — to  have  to  go  as  far  again, — 

And  Diligence  is  sick  at  heart,  and  Enterprise  foot-sore : 

That  wliich  began  in  zeal,  bursting  as  a  fresh-dug  spring, 

Goeth  on  doggedly  in  toll,  and  hath  no  help  of  nature  : 

Then,  is  need  of  moral  might,  to  wrestle  witli  the  animal  reaction. 

Still  to  fight,  with  few  men  left,  and  still,  though  faint,  pursuing. 

The  middle  is  a  marshy  flat,  whereon  the  wheels  go  heavily. 

With  clouds  of  doubt  above,  and  ruts  of  discouragement  below : 

Press  on,  sturdy  tra\'eller,  yet  a  league,  and  yet  a  league  ! 

While  every  step  is  binding  wings  on  thy  victorious  feet. 

Eveiy  end  is  happiness,  the  glorious  consummation  of  design, 
The  perils  past,  the  fears  annulled,  the  journey  at  its  close  : 
And  the  traveller  restcth  in  complacency,  liome-returned  at  last : 
Work  done  may  claim  its  wages,  tlie  goal  gained  hath  won  its  prize. 


•  THE  END.  241 

While  the  labour  lasted,  while  the  race  was  running, 
Many  times  the  sinews  ached,  and  half  refused  the  struggle  ; 
But  now,  all  is  quietness,  a  pleasant  hour  given  to  repose ; 
Calmness  in  the  retrospect  of  good,  and  calmness  in  the  prospect  of  a  bless- 
ing. 
Hope  was  glad  in  the  begiiniing,  and  fear  was  sad  midway, 
But  sweet  fruition  cometh  in  the  end,  a  harvest  safe  and  sure. 
That  which  is,  can  never  not  have  been  :  facts  are  solid  as  the  pyramids : 
A  thing  done  is  written  in  the  rock,  yea,  with  a  pen  of  iron. 
Uncertainty  no  more  can  scare,  the  proof  is  seen  complete, 
Nor  accident  render  unaccomplished,  for  the  deed  is  finished. 
Thus  the  end  shall  crown  die  work,  with  grace,  grace,  unto  the  topstone, 
And  the  work  shall  triumph  in  its  crown,  with  peace,  peace,  unto  the 
builder. 

I  have  written,  as  other  some  of  old,  in  quaint  and  meaning  phrase, 
Of  many  things  for  either  world,  a  crowd  of  facts  and  fancies  : 
And  vv'ill  ye  judge   me,  men  of  mind  ? — judge  in  kindly  calmness  ; 
For  bitter  words  of  haste  or  hate  have  often  been  repented. 
Deep  dreaming  upon  surface  reading ;  imagery  crowded  over  argument ; 
Order  less  considered  in  the  multitude  of  thoughts  ;  this  witnessing  is  just. 
Scripture  gave  the  holier  themes,  the  w'ell-tiuned  words  and  vyisdom  ; 
While  Fancy  on  her  swallow's  wing  skimmed  those  deeper  waters. 
And  wilt  thou  say  with  shrewdness, — He  hath  burnished  up  old  truths, 
But  where  he  seemed  to  fashion  new.  the  novelty  was  false  '? 
Alas,  for  us  in  tl;iese  last  days,  our  elders  reaped  the  harvest ; 
Alas,  for  all  men  in  all  times,  who  glean  so  many  tares  ! 
That  which  is  true,  how  should  it  be  new  ?  for  time  Js  old  fn  years  :■ 
|P?hat  which  is  new,  how  should  it  be  true  ?  for  I  uitt  young  in  wisdom.. 

Nevertheless,  I  have  spoken  at  my  best,  according  to  the  mercies  given: me^ 

Of  high,  and  deep,  and  famous  things,  of  Evil,  or  of  Gx)od.  (j^j 

I  have  told  of  Errors  near  akin  to  Truth,  and  wholesoraes  linked  with 

poison ; 
Of  subtle  Uses  in  the  humblest,  and  the  deep-laid  plots  of  Pride  : 
I  have  praised  Wisdom,  comforted  thy  Hope,  and  proved  to  thee  the  folly 

of  complainings  ; 
Hinted  at  the  hazard  of  an  influence,  and  turned  thee  from  the  terrors  of 

Ambition. 


242  PROVERBIAL  PIIILOSOPIfV. 

1  have  shown  thee  thy  captivity  to  Law  ;  yet  bade  thee  hide  Humilities  ; 
I  have  lifted  the  curtains  of  Memory  ;  and  smoothed  the  soil  j  illow  of 

Rest. 
Experience  had  his  sober  hour  ;  and  Character  it*;  keen  appreciation  ; 
And  Loly  Anger  stood  sublime,  where  Hatred  fell  condemned. 
Prayer  spake  the  mind  of  God,  even  in  his  own  good  words  ; 
And  Zeal,  with  kindness  warmly  mixt,  allied  him  to  Discretion. 
I  tanght  tliee  that  nothing  is  a  Trifle,  even  to  the  laugh  of  Recreation  : 
I  led  thee  with  the  Train  of  Religion,  to  be  dazzled  at  the  name  of  the 

Triune. 
Thought  confessed  his  unseen  fears  ;  and  Speech  declared  his  triumphs ; 
I  sang  the  blessedness  of  books  ;  and  commended  the  prudence  of  a  letter ; 
Riches  found  their  room,  either  unto  honour — or  despising  ; 
Inventions  took  their  lower  place,  for  all  things  come  of  God. 
I  scorned  Ridicule ;  nor  would  humble  me  for  Praise ;  for  I  had  gained 

Self-knowledge ; 
And  pleaded  fervently  for  Brutes,  who  suffer  for  man's  sin. 
Then,  I  rose  to  Friendship  ;  and  bathed  in  all  the  tenderness  of  Love  ; 
Knew  the  purity  of  Marriage  :  and  blessed  the  face  of  Children. 
And  whereas  by  petulance  or  pride,  I  had  haply  said  some  evil, 
Mine  after-thought  was  Tolerance,  to  bear  the  Rxults  of  all : 
Many  faults,  ill  to  hear,  bred  the  theme  of  Sorrow  ; 
Many  virtue's,  dear  to  see,  induced  the  gush  of  Joy. 

Thus,  for  a  while,  as  leaving  thee  in  joy,  was  I  loth  to  break  that  spell ; 

I  roamed  to  other  things  and  thoughts,  and  fashioned  other  books. 

But  in  a  season  of  reflection,  after  many  days, 

A  thought  stood  before  me  in  its  garment  of  the  past, — and  lo,  a  legion 


with  it ! 
They  came  in  thronging  bands, — I  could  not  fight  nor  fly  them, — 
And  so  they  took  me  to  their  tent,  the  prisoner  of  thoughts. 

Then,  I  bade  thee  greet  me  well,  and  heed  my  cheerful  counsels ; 
For  every  day  we  have  a  Friend,  who  changeth  not  with  time. 
Gladly  did  I  speak  of  my  commission,  for  I  felt  it  graven  on  my  heart, 
And  could  not  hold  my  wiser  peace,  but  magnified  mine  otfice. 
Mystery  had  left  her  echoes  in  my  mind,  and  I  discoursed  her  secret : 
And  thence  I  turned  aside  to  Man,  and  judged  him  for  his  Gifts. 
Beauty,  noble  thesis,  had  a  world  of  sweets  to  sing  of, 


# 


THE  END.  843 

And  dated  all  her  praise  from  God,  the  birthday  of  tlie  soul. 

Thence  grew  Fame;  and  Flattery  came  like  Agag; 

But  this  was  as  the  nauseous  dregs  of  that  inspiring  cup : 

Forth  from  Flattery  sprang  in  opposition  harsh  and  dull  Neglect : 

And  kind  Contentment's  gentle  face  to  smile  away  the  sadness. 

Life,  all  buoyancy  and  light,  and  Death,  that  sullen  silence, 

Sped  the  soul  to  Immortality,  the  final  home  of  man. 

Then,  in  metaphysical  review,  passed  a  triple  troop, 

Swift  Ideas,  sounding  Names,  and  heavily  armed  Things; 

Faith  spake  of  her  achievements  even  among  men  her  brethren  ; 

And  Honesty,  with  open  mouth,  would  vindicate  himself : 

The  retrospect  of  social  life  had  many  truths  to  tell  of, 

And  then  I  left  thee  to  thy  Solitude,  learning  there  of  Wisdom. 

Friend  and  scholar,  lover  of  the  right,  mine  equal  kind  companion, — 

I  prize  indeed  thy  favour,  and  these  sympathies  are  dear : 

Still,  if  thy  heart  be  little  with  me,  wot  thou  well,  my  brother, 

I  canvass  not  the  smile  of  praise,  nor  dread  the  frowns  of  censure. 

Through  many  themes  in  many  thouphts.  have  we  held  sweet  converse ; 

But  God  alone  be  praised  for  miuu  ;  nc  <-nly  is  sufficient. 

And  every  thought  in  every  theme  by  prayer  had  been  established  : 

Who   then   should  fear   the   face   of  man,   when   God   hath   ans\\-ere<i 

prayer  ? 
I  speak  it  not  in  arrogance  of  heart,  but  humbly,  as  of  justice, 
I  think  it  not  in  vanity  of  soul,  but  tenderly,  for  gratitude, — 
God  hath  blessed  my  mind,  and  taught  it  many  truths  ; 
And  I  have  echoed  some  to  thee,  in  weakness,  yet  sincerely :     . 
Yea,  though  ignorance  and  error  shall  have  marred  those  lessons  of  His 

teaching, 
I  stand  in  mine  own  Master's  praise,  or  fall  to  His  reproof. 
If  thou  lovest,  help  me  with  thy  blessing ;  if  otlierwise,  mine  shall  be  for 

thee ; 
If  thou  approvest,  heed  my  words  :  if  otherwise,  in  kindness  be  my  teacher. 
Many  mingled  thoughts  for  self  have  warped  my  better  aim, 
Many  motives  tempted  still,  to  toil  for  pride  or  praise  : 
Alas,  I  have  loved  pride  and  praise,  like  others  worse  or  worthier ; 
But  hate  and  fear  them  now,  as  snakes  that  fasten  on  my  hand  : 
Scaevola  burnt  both  hand  and  crime  :  but  Paul  flung  tlie  viper  on  the 

fire: 


244  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

He  shook  it  off,  and  felt  no  harm  :  so  be  it ! — I  renounce  them. 
Rebuke  then,  if  thou  wilt  rebuke, — but  neither  hastily  nor  harshly ; 
Or,  if  thou  wilt  commend,  be  it  honestly,  of  right ;  I  work  for  God  and 
good. 


TE/iOS. 


NOTES. 

(SECOND     SERIES.) 

(')  '^Hunt  with  Aureng-zehe,^^  <SfC.  Page  130. 
The  great  Mogul  ;  who  reigned  in  the  seventeenth  century  ;  and  was  fa- 
mous, amongst  other  things,  for  having  all  but  exterminated  wild  beasts  from 
the  region  of  Hindoostan :  he  effected  this  by  surrounding  the  whole  country 
with  his  army,  and  then  drawing  to  a  focus  with  the  animals  in  the  centre. 
Somerville,  in  the  end  of  Book  II.  of  the  Chase,  gives  a  spirited  account  of  that 
mighty  hunting: 

"  Now  the  loud  trumpet  sounds  a  charge.     The  shouta 
Of  eager  hosts,  through  all  the  circling  line. 
And  the  wild  bowlings  of  the  beasts  within 
Rend  wide  the  welkin  :  flights  of  arrows,  winged 
With  death,  and  javelins  launched  from  every  arm, 
Gall  sore  the  brutal  bands,  with  many  a  wound 

Gored  through  and  through." « 

* 

{^)  Page  131. 

Heraclitus,  and  Democritus,  are  severally  known  as  tfie  crying  and  laughing 
philosophers :  they  typify  opposite  kinds  of  seekers  after  wisdom  :  both  being 
prejudiced  by  excess.  Our  age  of  the  world  seems  to  have  fallen  upon  tho 
latter,  which,  with  a  protest  against  abuse,  is  certainly  the  wiser  of  the  two. 
"  The  house  of  mourning  is  better  than  the  house  of  feasting,"  for  this  influence, 
along  with  others  of  more  weight,  viz.,  that  it  tends  to  a  cheerful  and  calm 
reaction,  rather  than  to  feelings  of  dullness  and  satiety.  A  few  lines  further, 
"  the  luxury  of  Capuan  holidays,"  alludes  to  Hannibal's  fatal  rest  after  the  battle 
of  Canna;. 

(3)  Revelation  xxi.  8.     Page  132. 
"  But  the  feariul,  and  the  unbelieving,  and  the  abominable,  and  murderers, 
and  whoremongers,  and  sorcerers,  and  idolaters,  and  all  liars,  shall  have  their 
part  in  the  lake  that  burneth  with  fire." 


246  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

(*)  "Deucalion  flinging  hack  the  pebble  in  his  flight"  d^c.     Page  136. 
Descendunt ;  velantque  caput,  tunicasque  recingunt ; 
Et  jusBos  lapides  sua  post  vestigia  mittunt. 
Saxa  (quis  hoc  credat,  nisi  sit  pro  teste  vetustas?) 
Ponere  duritieni  ccepere,  suumque  rigorem  :  &,c.  &c. 
In-que  brevi  spatio,  superorutn  munere,  saxa 
Missa  viri  manibus  faciem  trax6re  virilem. 

Ovid  Met.  lib.  i. 

(*)  "Copan  and  Palenque,"  cj-c.  Page  143. 
The  remains  of  these  ancient  cities,  buried  in  the  forests  of  Central  America, 
have  been  recently  made  known  to  our  wonder  in  the  entertaining  travels  of 
Mr.  J.  L.  Stephens.  A  brief  and  apt  quotation,  to  illustrate  the  line,  occurs  in 
vol.  i.  p.  103.  "  *  *  Some  fragments  with  most  elegant  designs,  and  some 
in  workmanship  equal  to  the  finest  monuments  of  the  Egyptians  ;  one, displaced 
from  its  pedestal  by  enormous  roots  ;  another  locked  in  the  close  embrace  of 
branches  of  trees,  and  almost  lifted  out  of  the  earth;  another,  hurlod  to  the 
ground,  and  bound  down  by  huge  vines  and  creepers  ;  and  one  standing,  with 
Its  altar  before  it,  in  a  grove  of  trees  which  grew  around,  seemingly  to  shade 
and  shroud  it,  as  a  sacred  thing  in  the  solemn  stillness  of  the  woods,  it  seemed 
a  divinity  mourning  over  a  fallen  people." 

(S)  Page  161. 
Corinna,  a  Theban  lady,  was  once  adjudged  to  have  overcome  in  verse  her 
countryman,  the  deep-mouthed  Pindar ;  but  she  is  credibly  believed  to  have 
owed  her  success  in  a  great  measure  to  her  beauty.  Phryne,  (not  the  too-cele- 
brated courtezan  of  Athens,  but  a  Phryne  of  fairer  fame,)  is  mentioned  as  hav- 
ing been  accused,  like  Socrates,  of  impiety  against  heathenism,  and  like  hita 
condemned  to  die  ;  however,  the  fairer  witness  of  truth  was  fortunate  enough 
to  escape  martyrdom  by  unveiling  her  bosom  to  the  judges,  and  thereby  influ- 
encing their  sentence.  Quintilian,  Orat.  lib.  ii.  c.  15,  has  this  passage  to  our 
purpose.  "  Et  Phryneii  *  *  *  conspectu  corporis,  quod  ilia,  speciosissimum 
alioqui,  diducta  undaveret  tunica,  putant  periculo  liberatam."  Athenaeus,  xiii. 
590,  tells  us  that  it  was  by  the  address  and  counsel  of  Hyperides,  her  advocate, 

that    Ttpoayaydiv    aiirfiv  £i"{    Tovjjipavci,  koX  Trrpiflpri^ns    roiii  ^irwvi'oKouf,  yvpiva    rt    ra 

arlpva  7roi/j<raf ,  he  influenced  the  judges  of  the  Areopagus  to  acquit  her.     "  Ionian 
Myrrha  "  is  a  character  finely  drawn  by  Byron  in  his  tragedy  of  Sardanapalus. 

C)  ^^Some  Nireus  of  the  camp,'^  t^c.    Page  163. 
Homer  disposes  very  summarily  of  a  personage  who  has  nothing  to  recom- 
mend him  but  his  beauty.     Nireus  is  mentioned  only  in  one  passage  ot  the 


NOTES.  247 

Iliad  :  lib.  il.  G73.  NiotOc,  Si  KdWicToi;  aunp,  &,c.  ;  and  it  is  significantly  added, 
'AXA'  liXunaiiiAi  It]^:  ail  epiihct  of  double  intention,  powerless  in  troops,  and  im- 
becile in  mind. 

(^)  1  Esdras  iv.  13,  ct  se.j.  Vagc  165. 
Zorobabel  holds  argument  before  Darius,  that  "  Woman  is  more  powerful 
than  wine  or  the  king,  but  that  Truth  beareth  off  the  victory  from  woman." 
He  sets  up  beauty  above  all  earthly  things,  v.  .32,  "  O  ye  men,  how  can  it  be 
but  women  should  be  strong,  seeing  they  do  thus  i"  and  it  is  small  disparage- 
ment, that  Truth  should  overcome  her ;  for  "  Great  is  truth,  and  mighty  above 
all  things."  v.  41. 

(')  Ezrkirl  xxvnl  12.  Page  166. 
"  Thou  sealest  up  the  sum,"  (otherwise  to  be  rendered,  "  Thou  art  the  stan- 
dard of  measures,")  "  full  of  wisdom,  and  perfect  in  beauty."  It  is  quite  fair, 
and  according  to  scriptural  usage,  (compare  Hosea  xi.  1,  with  Matt.  ii.  15,)  to 
take  such  a  passage  as  this  out  of  its  context,  as  primarily  referable  to  a  King 
of  Tyrus,  but  in  a  higher  sense  applicable  to  the  King  of  Heaven. 

C°)  Page  167. 
Era tostratus  fired  the  temple  of  Diana  at  Ephesas,  solely  to  make  himself  a 
name:  the  incendiary  certainly  succeeded,  for  he  has  come  down  to  our  times 
famous  (if  in  no  other  way)  at  least  for  his  criminal  and  foolish  love  of  notoriety. 
Pythagoras  induced  the  vulgar  to  believe  in  his  supernatural  qual.ficatioas,  by 
immuring  himself  in  a  cavernous  pit  for  months,  whence  returning  with  a 
ghastly  aspect,  he  gave  out  that  he  had  been  a  visiter  in  Hadiis.  As  for  Empe- 
docles,  few  cannot  have  heard,  that  he  leaped  into  iEtna  to  make  the  world 
imagine  that  he  had  vanished  from  its  surface  as  a  god  :  unluckily,  however, 
the  volcano  disgorged  one  of  the  philosopher's  smdals,  and  proved  at  once  the 
manner  of  his  death,  and  the  quality  of  his  mind  ;  ex  pede  Herculem. 

(  ")  "  Cccsars  uif:"     Pa2,o  163. 
Pompeia,  third  wife  of  Julius  Csesy,  and  divorced  from  him,  according  to 
Plutarch,  solely  because  "  he  would  have  the  chastity  of  Caesar's  wife  free  even 
from  suspicion." 

(")  Page  170. 
Momus,  a  typification  of  the  force  of  ridicule,  was  once  counted  among  the 
hierarchs  of  heathen  mythology  :  but,  as  he  made  game  of  every  one,  he  never 
found  a  friend  ;  and  when  at  length,  in  a  gush  of  hypercriticism,  he  presumed 


248  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

to  censure  the  peerless  Mother  of  Beauty  for  awkwardness  in  walking,  the  en- 
raged celestials  flung  him  from  their  sphere,  and  sent  the  fallen  spirit  down  to 
men. 

('^)  1  Kings  vii.  21.     Page  184. 
"  He   set  the  pillars  in  the   porch  of  the  temple  ;    and  he  set  up  the  right 
pillar,  and  called  the  name  thereof  Jachin  [He  shall  establish]  :  and  he  set  up 
the  left  pillar ;  and  called  the  name  thereof  Boaz  [in  it  is  strength] :  and  upon 
the  top  of  the  pillars  was  lily-work." 

C^)  Page  185. 
An  application  of  the  story  of  Curtius,  (as  given  by  Livy,  lib.  vii.  6,)  who 
leaped  into  a  gulf,  in  the  forum,  because  the  Auruspices  had  declared  that  it 
should  never  close  until  the  most  precious  thing  in  Rome,  "  the  strength  of  the 
city,"  had  been  flung  into  it.  We  are  told  that  "  equo,  qu£im  poterat  maxima 
ornato,  insidentem,  armatum  se  in  specum  immisisse." 

('5)  Page  186. 
To  drink  with  the  throat  of  Crassus,  may  well  be  thought  to  have  passed 
into  a  proverb  for  inordinate  lust  of  wealth  :  for  Orodes  the  Parthian,  having 
overthrown  him  in  battle,  cut  off  his  head,  and  then,  to  satirize  the  insatiable 
nature  of  his  avarice,  poured  melted  gold  down  his  throat.  The  evil  dreams  of 
Midas  are  as  famous  as  his  other  well-earned  punishments  ;  and  we  are  told 
that  he  died,  in  consequence  of  taking  too  violent  a  remedy  for  delivering  him- 
self from  those  nightly  torments. 

('«)  Page  194. 

Mr.  Willis,  in  "  Pencil! ings  by  the  Way,"  vol.  i.  p.  115,  gives  a  graphic 
account  of  the  public  burial-ground  of  Naples.  *  *  *  "  There  are  three 
hundred  and  sixty-five  pits  in  this  place,  one  of  which  is  opened  every  day  for 
the  dead  of  the  city.  They  are  thrown  in  without  shroud  or  coffin,  and  the 
pit  sealed  up  at  night  for  a  year."  «  *  «  And  thus  are  flung  into  this  noi- 
some pit,  like  beasts,  the  greater  part  of  the  population  of  this  vast  city, — the 
young  and  old,  the  vicious  and  the  virtuous  together,  without  the  decency 
even  of  a  rag  to  keep  up  the  distinction*  of  life  !  Can  human  beings  thus  be 
thrown  away  1  men  like  ourselves,  women,  children,  like  our  sisters  and  bro- 
thers ?  I  never  was  so  humiliated  in  my  life  as  by  this  horrid  spectacle.  I  did 
not  think  a  man — a  felon  even,  or  a  leper, — what  you  will,  that  is  guilty  or 
debased, — I  did  not  think  any  thing  that  had  been  human  could  be  so  recklessly 
abandoned.  Pah  !  It  makes  one  sick  at  heart !  God  grant  I  may  never  die 
at  Naples !" 

Truly  this  would  seem  to  spoil  the  proverb,  Vedi  Napoli,  poi  mori. 


NOTES.  »49 

C)  Page  195. 
Sophocles  lived  to  be  nearly  a  hundred  years  old :  and  to  typify  the  perpetua 
fame  of  their  "  sweet  Attic  bee/'  the  Athenians  used  to  decorate  his  tomb  witi 
festoons  of  flowering  ivy. 

(")  Page  196. 
Mr.  Catlin,  in  his  interesting  work  on  the  North  American  tribes,  vol.  ii.  j: 
10,  alludes  to  "  the  usual  mode  of  the  Omahas,  of  depositing  their  dead  in  th» 
crotches,  and  on  the  branches  of  trees,  enveloped  in  skins,"  &c. 

(")  "Henuned  in  by  hostile fozs,  the  trijler  is  busied  on  an  epigram. 
Page  212. 

Even  in  matters  temporal,  a  literal  instance  of  this  occurs  in  the  history  ol 
Frederick  the  Great  of  Prussia,  who,  during  the  mortal  struggles  of  the  seve 
years'  war,  frequently  occupied  the  eve  belbre  a  battle  in  the  studious  compo 
eition  of  profane  jests,  and  bad  poetry. 

C)  "Nine  Homers,"  <^c.     Page  218. 

It  is  true  that  seven  of  these  have  so  perished  from  memory,  that  we  knot, 
notliing  of  their  works  ;  we  only  know  they  lived  :  an  eighth,  however,  he  of 
Hierapolis  and  one  of  the  poetic  Pleiades  of  the  age  of  Philadelphus,  is  reported 
to  have  written  no  less  than  five-and-forty  plays. 

Musaeus,  a  little  lower  do\vu,  is  Virgil's  tall  prophet  in  the  Elysian  fields, 
mentioned  JEn.  vi.  667. 

"  Musaeum  ante  onmes  ;  medium  nam  plnrima  tnrba 
Hunc  habet,  atque  humeris  extantem  suspicit  altis." 

("  )  '•  Sons  of  MxttathiaSy"  cj-c.     Page  22 1 . 
John,  Simon,  Judas,  Eleazar,  and  Jonathan,  who  liberated  Israel  from  the 
domination  of  the  Greeks,  about  b.  c.  160  ;  and  who  were  known  by  the  gene- 
ral name  of  the  Maccabees,  from   the  initial  Hebrew  letters  of  the  first  four 
words  from  Ex.  xv.  11,  being  inscribed  on  their  standard. 

(")  "The  word  for  both  is  one"  4-0.  Page  225. 
vlarcs,  a  derivative  from  vciOojim,  will  almost  as  readily  bear  the  sense  of 
obedience,  as  of  persuasion,  and  of  credence.  I  know  not  whether  a  similar 
latent  sympathy  may  be  thought  to  exist  between  our  own  old  English  word 
"  faith,"  and  the  Norman  "  fait,"  factum,  a  deed:  at  any  rate,  the  coincidence 
is  worth  a  passing  notice. 

U* 


250  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 

(*')  "Ovid  had  been  wise  for  winking.^'    Page  229. 
The  poet  Ovid  was  exiled  for  life  to  the  shores  of  the  Black  Sea  for  having 
seen,  and  indiscreetly  divulged,  some  intrigue  in  the  family  of  Augustus.     He 
complains  frequently  o   this  hard  lot ;  for  example, 

"  Inscia  quod  crimen  viderunt  luniina  plector, 
Peccatumque  oculos  est  habuisse  meum." 

But  he  might  with  greater  justice  have  accused  his  tongue  than  his  eyes. 

(")  Page  238. 

Madame  de  Stafil  somewhere  uses  these  words :  "  To  enjoy  ourselves,  we 
must  seek  solitude.  It  was  in  the  Bastile  that  I  first  became  acquainted  with 
myself." 

Scipio  is  reported  to  have  originated  the  popular  sayings,  "  I  am  never  less 
idle  than  when  I  have  most  leisure,"  and  "  I  am  never  less  alone  than  when 
alone." 

The  Emperor  Charles  V.,  with  the  example  of  Dioclesian  before  him,  re- 
signed his  crown,  and  retired  from  the  world  to  the  monastery  of  St.  Just,  at 
Plazencia,  in  Spain :  where,  as  Robertson  says,  "  he  buried  in  solitude  and 
Bilenee  his  grandeur  and  his  ambition." 

(=5)  Page  241. 
It  may  be  necessary  to  acquaint  the  reader  that  this  section  takes  a  retro- 
spective glance  at  my  former  series  of  subjects  treated  in  the  proverbial  style: 
»  brief  recapitulation  of  the  present  series  follows,  finishing  the  work. 


A  thousajN^d  lines. 


A  THOUSAND  LINES. 


PROLOGUE. 

Mt  heart  presents  her  gift ;  in  turn,  of  theo 

I  ask  a  little  time,  an  idle  hour. 
Kindly  to  spend  with  these  my  thoughts  and  me 

Wooing  the  fragrance  of  J;he  Muses'  bower; 
Not  without  name  or  note,  yet  narileless  now 

As  one  devoid  of  fame  and  skill  and  power, 

Bearing  no  charge  upon  mine  argent  shield, 
A  candidate  unknown  with  vizored  brow. 

Full  of  young  hopes  I  dare  the  tented  field  ! — 
Not  so : — this  is  no  time  for  measuring  swords  ; 

Thou  art  no  craven  though  thy  spirit  yield, 
For  yonder  are  fair  looks  and  friendly  words : 

Choose  a  more  peaceful  image : — here,  reveal'a 
Shines  a  small  sample  of  my  golden  hoards. 


254  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 


SLOTH. 

"A  LITTLE  more  slocp,  a  little  more  slumber, 

A  little  more  folding  the  hands  to  sleep," 
For  quick-footed  dreams,  without  order  or  number, 

Over  my  mind  are  Jieginning  to.  creep, — 
Rare  is  the  happiness  thus  to  be  raptured 

By  your  wild  whispers,  my  Fanciful  train, 
And,  like  a  linnet,  be  carelessly  captured 

In  the  soft  nets  of  my  beautiful  brain  ! 

Touch  not  these  curtains  ! — your  hand  will  be  tearing 

J)e]icate  tissues  of  thoughts  and  of  things  ; — 
Call  me  not ! — your  cruel  voice  will  be  scaring 

Flocks  of  young  visions  on  gossamer  wings ; 
Leave  me,  O  leave  me, — for  in  your  rude  presence 

Nothing  of  alj  my  b*-ight  world  can  remain, — 
Thou  art  a  blight  to  this  garden  of  pleasance, 

Thou  art  a  blot  on  my  beautiful  brain  ! 

Cease  your  dull  lecture  on  cares  and  employment, 

Let  me  forget  awhile  trouble  and  strife, 
Leave  me  to  peace, — let  me  husbnnd  enjoyment,^ 

This  is  the  heart  and  the  marrow  of  life ! 
For  to  my  feeling  the  choicest  of  pleasures 

Is  to  lie  thus,  without  peril  or  pain, 
Lazily  listening  the  musical  measures 

Of  the  sweet  voice  in  my  beautiful  brain ! 

Hush, — for  the  halo  of  calmness  is  spreading 

OvCT  my  spirit,  as  mild  as  a  dove  ; 
Hush, — for  the  angel  of  comfort  is  shedding 

Over  my  body  his  vial  of  love  ; 
Hush, — for  new  slumbers  are  over  me  stealing, 

Thus  would  I  court  them  again  and  again, 
Hush, — for  my  heart  is  intoxicate, — reeling 

In  the  swift  waltz  of  my  beautiful  brain ! 


ACTrVTTY.  255 


ACT-IVITY. 

Open  the  casement,  and  up  with  the  Sun ! 

Ilis  gallant  journey  is  just  begun  ; 

Over  the  hills  his  chariot  is  roU'd, 

Banner'd  with  glorj',  and  burnish'd  with  gold,   ■ 

Over  the  hills  he  comes  sublime, 

Bridegroom  of  Earth,  and  brother  of  Time ! 

Day  hath  bi-oken,  joyous  and  fair ; 
Fragrant  and  fresh  is  the  morning  air, — 
Beauteous  and  bright  those  orient  hues, 
Balmy  and  sweet  these  early  dews ; 
O,  there  is  health,  and  wealth,  and  bliss 
In  dawnipg  Nature's  motherly  kiss ! 

Lo,  the  wondering  world  awakes, 

With  its  rosy-tipp'd  mountains  and  gleaming  lakes, 

With  its  fields  and  cities,  deserts  and  trees, 

Its  calm  old  clifl's,  and  its  sounding  seas, 

In  all  their  gratitude  blessing  HIM 

Who  dwelleth  between  the  Cherubim ! 

Break  away  boldly  from  Sleep's  leaden  chain ; 

Seek  not  to  forge  that  fetter  again ; 

Rather,  with  vigour  and  resolute  nerve, 

Up,  up,  to  bless  man,  and  thy  Master  to  serve. 

Thankful  and  hopeful,  and  happy  to  raise 

The  offering  of  prayer,  and  the  incense  of  praise ! 

Gird  thee,  and  do  thy  watching  well, 

Duty's  Christian  sentinel ! 

Sloth  and  Slumber  never  had  part 

In  the  wamor's  will,  or  the  patriot's  heart; 

Soldier  of  God  on  an  enemy's  shore  ! 

Slumber  and  sloth  thrall  ikee  no  more. 


.356  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 


ADVENTURE. 

How  gladly  would  I  wander  through  some  strange  and  savage  land, 

The  la^so  at  my  saddle  bow,  the  rifle  in  my  hand, 

A  leash  of  gallant  mastifFs  bounding  by  my  side, 

And  for  a  friend  to  love,  tlie  noble  horse  on  which  I  ride ! 

Alone,  alone — yet  not  alone,  for  God  is  with  me  there. 
The  tender  hand  of  Providence  shall  guide  me  every  where, 
While  happy  thoughts  and  holy  hopes,  as  spirits  calm  and  mild, 
Shall  fan  with  their  sweet  wbgs  the  hermit-hunter  of  the  wild ! 

Without  a  guide, — yet  guided  well, — young,  buoyant,  fresh  and  free, 
Without  a  road, — yet  all  the  land  a  highway  unto  me, — 
Witliout  a  care,  without  a  fear,  without  a  grief  or  pftin, 
Exultingly  I  thread  the  woods,  or  gallop  o'er  the  plain  ! 

Or,  brushing  through  the  copse,  from  his  leafy  home  I  start 

The  stately  elk,  or  tusky  boar,  the  bison,  or  the  hart. 

And  then, — with  eager  spur,  to  scour  away,  away. 

Nor  stop, — until  my  dogs  have  brought  the  glorious  brute  to  bay. 

Or,  if  the  gang  of  hungry  wolves  come  yelling  on  my  track, 
I  make  my  ready  rifle  speak,  and  scare  the  cowards  back ; 
Or,  if  the  lurking  leopard's  eyes  among  the  branches  shine, 
A  touch  upon  the  trigger — and  his  spotted  skin  is  mine ! 

And  then  the  hunter's  savoury  fare  at  tranquil  eventide, — 
The  dappled  deer  I  shot  to-day  upon  the  green  hillside ; 
My  feasted  hounds  are  slumbering  round  beside  the  water-course. 
And  plenty  of  sweet  prairie-grass  for  thee,  my  noble  horse. 

Hist !  hist !  I  heard  some  prowler  snarling  in  the  wood ; 
I  seized  my  knife  and  trusty  gun,  and  face  to  face  we  stood  ! 
The  Grizzly  Bear  came  rushing  on, — and,  as  he  rush'd,  he  fell ! 
Hie  at  bltn,  dogs !  my  rifle  has  done  its  duty  well  I 


THE  SONG  OF  SIXTEEN.  257 

Hie  at  him,  dogs  !  one  bullet  cannot  kill  a  foe  so  grim  ; 
The  God  of  battles  nerve  a  man  to  grapple  now  with  him, — 
And  straight  between  his  hugging  arms  I  plunge  my  whetted  knife, 
Ha — ha  !  it  splits  his  iron  heart,  and  drinks  the  ruddy  life  ! 

Frantic  he  struggles — welling  blood — the  strife  is  almost  o'er, — 
The  shaggy  monster,  feebly  panting,  wallows  in  his  gore, — 
Here,  lap  it  hot,  my  gallant  hounds, — the  blood  of  foes  is  sweet ; 
Here,  gild  withal  your  dewlapp'd  throats,  and  wash  your  brawny  feet ! 

So  shall  we  beard  those  tyrants  in  their  dens  another  day. 

Nor  tamely  wait,  with  slavish  fear,  their  coming  in  the  way ; 

And  pleasant  thoughts  of  peace  and  home  shall  till  our  dreams  to-night, 

For  lo,  the  God  of  battles  has  help'd  us  in  the  fight ! 


THE    SONG    OF    SIXTEEN, 

Who  shall  guess  what  I  may  be  ? 

Who  can  tell  my  fortune  to  me  ? 

For,  bravest  and  brightest  that  ever  was  sung 

May  be — and  shall  be — ^the  lot  of  the  young  ! 

Hope,  with  her  prizes  and  victories  won, 
Shines  in  the  blaze  of  my  morning  sun. 
Conquering  Hope,  with  golden  ray, 
Blessing  my  landscape  far  away ; 

All  my  meadows  and  hills  are  green, 
And  rippling  waters  glance  between, — 
All  my  skies  are  rosy  bright, 
Laughing  in  triumph  at  yester-night : 

My  heart,  my  heart  within  me  swells, 
Panting,  and  stirring  its  hundred  wells ; — 
For  youth  is  a  noble  seed,  that  springs 
Into  the  flower  of  heroes  luid  kings  ! 


253  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 

Rich  in  the  present,  though  poor  in  the  past, 
I  yearn  for  the  future,  vague  and  vast : 
And  lo  !  what  treasure  of  glorious  things 
Giant  Futurity  sheds  from  his  wings : 

Pleasures  are  thore,  like  dropping  balms, 
And  glory  and  lionour  with  chaplets  and  palms. 
And  mind  well  at  ease,  and  gladness,  and  health, 
A  river  of  peace,  and  a  mine  of  wealth  ! 

Away  with  your  counsels,  and  hinder  me  not,— 
On,  on  let  me  press  to  my  brilliant  lot ; 
Young  and  strong,  and  sanguine  and  free, 
How  knowest  thou  what  I  may  be  ? 


FORTY. 

Ah,  poor  youth  !  in  pitiful  truth, 
Tiiy  pride  must  feel  a  fall,  poor  youth  : 
What  thou  shalt  be,  well  have  I  seen, — 
Thou  shalt  be  only  what  others  have  been. 

Haply,  within  a  few  swift  years, 
A  mind  bowed  down  with  troubles  and  fears, 
The  commonest  druge  of  men  and  things, 
Instead  of  your — conquering  heroes  and  kings. 

Haply,  to  follies  an  early  WTeck, — 

For  the  cloud  of  presumption  is  now  like  a  speck, 

And  with  a  whelming,  sudden  sweep, 

The  storm  of  temptation  roars  over  the  deep ; 

Lower  the  sails  of  pride,  rash  youth, 
Stand  to  the  lowly  tiller  of  truth  ; 
Quick  !  or  your  limber  bark  shall  be 
The  sport  of  tlie  winds  on  a  stormy  sea. 


THE  SONG  OF  SEVENTY.  259 

Care  and  peril  in  lieu  of  joy, — 

Guilt  and  dread  may  be  thine,  proud  bey  : 

Lo,  thy  mantling  chalice  of  life 

Is  foaming  with  sorrow,  and  sickness,  and  strife ; 

Cheated  by  pleasure,  and  sated  with  pain, — 
Watching  for  honour,  and  watching  in  vain, — 
Aching  in  heart,  and  ailing  in  head. 
Wearily  earning  daily  bread. 

— It  is  well.     I  discern  a  tear  on  thy  cheek : 
It  is  well, — thou  art  humbled,  and  silent,  and  meek: 
Now, — courage  again  !  and,  with  peril  to  cope, 
Gird  thee  with  vigour,  and  helm  tliec  with  hope  ! 

For  life,  good  youth,  hat'i  never  an  ill 

Which  hope  cannot  scatter,  and  fai*h  cannot  kill  ; 

And  stubborn  rea'ii^s  rever  sha'l  bind 

The  free-spreading  waigs  of  a  c!ieerful  mind. 


THE    SONG    OF     SEVENTY. 

I  AM  not  old, — I  cannot  be  old. 

Though  threescore  years  and  ten 
Have  wasted  away,  like  a  tale  that  is  told, 

The  lives  of  other  men  : 

I  am  not  old  ;  though  friends  and  foes 

Alike  have  gone  to  their  graves, 
And  left  me  alone  to  my  joys  or  my  woes, 

As  a  rock  in  the  midst  of  the  waves. 

I  am  not  old, — I  cannot  be  old, 

Though  tottering,  wrinkled  and  gray : 

Though  my  eyes  are  dim,  and  my  marrow  is  cold, 
Call  me  not  old  to-tlay. 


260  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 

For  early  memories  round  me  throng, 
Old  times,  tind  manners,  and  men. 

As  I  look  behind  on  my  journey  so  long, 
Of  threescore  miles  and  ten ; 

1  look  behind,  and  am  once  more  young, 

Buoyant,  and  brave,  and  bold, 
And  my  heart  can  sing,  as  of  yore  it  sung. 

Before  they  called  me  old. 

I  do  not  see  her, — the  old  wife  there — 

Shrivelled,  and  haggard,  and  gray, 
But  I  look  on  her  blooming,  and  soft,  and  fair, 
As  she  was  on  her  wedding  day  ! 

I  do  not  see  you,  daughters  and  sons, 
In  the  likeness  of  women  and  men. 
But  I  kiss  you  now  as  I  kissed  you  once. 
My  fond  little  children  then  : 

And  as  my  own  grandson  rides  on  my  knee, 

Or  plays  with  his  hoop  or  kite, 
I  can  well  recollect  I  was  merry  as  he — 

The  bright-eyed  little  wight ! 

'Tis  not  long  since, — it  cannot  be  long, — 

My  years  so  soon  were  spent, 
Since  I  was  a  boy,  both  straight  and  strong, 

Yet  now  am  I  feeble  and  bent. 

A  dream,  a  dream, — it  is  all  a  dream ! 

A  strange,  sad  dream,  good  sooth  ; 
For  old  as  I  am,  and  old  as  I  seem, 

My  h6art  is  full  of  youth  : 

Eye  hath  not  seen,  tongue  hath  not  told, 

And  ear  hath  not  heard  it  sung. 
How  buoyant  and  bold,  though  it  seem  to  grow  old, 

Is  the  heart,  for  ever  young  ;  * 


NATURE'S  NOBLEMAN.  261 

For  ever  young, — thoutrh  life's  old  age 

Ilath  evnry  nen'e  unstrung  : 
The  heart,  tlie  heart  is  a  heritage 

That  keeps  the  old  man  young ! 


NATURE'S  NOBLEMAN. 

AwAT  with  false  fashion,  so  calm  and  so  chill, 

Where  pleasure  itself  cannot  please  ; 
Away  with  cold  breeding,  that  faitldessly  still 

Affects  to  be  quite  at  its  ease  ; 
For  the  deepest  in  feeling  is  highest  in  rank, 

The  freest  is  first  in  the  band. 
And  nature's  own  Nobleman,  friendly  and  frank, 

Is  a  man  with  his  heart  in  his  hand ! 

Fearless  in  honesty,  gentle  yet  just. 

He  warmly  can  love, — and  can  hate. 
Nor  will  he  bow  down  with  his  face  in  tlie  dust 

To  Fashion's  intolerant  state  : 
For  best  in  good  breeding,  and  highest  in  rank, 

Though  lowly  or  poor  in  the  land, 
Is  nature's  own  Nobleman,  friendly  and  frank, 

The  man  with  his  heart  in  his  hand  ! 

His  fashion  is  passion,  sincere  and  intense. 

His  impulses,  simple  and  true, 
Yet  tempered  by  judgment,  and  taught  by  good  sense, 

And  cordial  with  me,  and  with  you  : 
For  the  finest  in  manners,  as  highest  in  rank, 

It  is  you,  man  !  or  you,  man  !  who  stand 
Nature's  own  Nobleman,  friendly  and  frank, — 

A  man  with  his  heajrt  in  liis  hand  ! 


S62  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 


NEVER   GIVE   UP. 

Never  give  up  !  it  is  wiser  and  better 

Always  to  hope,  than  once  to  despair ; 
Fling  off  the  load  of  Doubt's  cankering  fetter, 

And  break  the  dark  spell  of  tyrannical  care : 
Never  give  up !  or  the  burthen  may  sink  you,^ 

Providence  kindly  has  mingled  the  cup, 
And  in  all  trials  or  troubles,  bethink  you, 

The  watchword  of  life  must  be,  Never  give  cp  I 

Never  give  up !  there  are  chances  and  changes 

Helping  the  hopeful,  a  hundred  to  one, 
And  through  the  chaos  High  Wisdom  an-anges 

Ever  success, — if  you'll  only  hope  on : 
Never  give  up  !  for  the  wisest  is  boldest. 

Knowing  tliat  Providence  mingles  the  cup, 
And  of  all  maxims  the  best,  as  the  oldest. 

Is  the  true  watchword  of  Never  give  up ! 

Never  give  rip ! — though  the  grape-shot  may  rattle, 

Or  the  full  thunder-cloud  over  you  burst. 
Stand  like  a  rock, — and  the  storm  or  the  battle 

Little  shall  harm  you,  though  doing  their  worst : 
Never  give  up  ! — if  adversity  presses. 

Providence  wisely  has  mingled  the  cup. 
And  the  best  counsel,  in  all  your  distresses. 

Is  the  stout  watchword  of  Never  give  up ! 


THE   SUN. 

Blame  not,  ye  million  worshippers  of  gold — 
Modern  idolaters — their  works  and  ways, 

When  Asia's  children,  in  the  times  of  old. 
Knelt  to  the  sun,  outpouring  prayer  and  praise 


THE  STARS.  203 

As  to  God's  central  throne  ;  for  whsn  the  blaz3 
Of  that  grand  eye  is  on  me,  and  I  stanJ 

Watching  its  majesty  with  painful  gaze, 
I  too  could  kneel  among  that  Persian  hand, 

Had  not  the  Architect  of  yon  bright  sphere 
Taught  me  Himself;  bidJing  me  look  above, 

Beneath,  around,  and  still  to  find  Him — here  ! 
King  of  the  heart,  dwelling  in  no  fixt  globe, 

But  gladly  throned  within  the  spirit  of  love, 
Wearing  that  light  ethereal  as  a  robe. 


THE   MOON. 

I  KNOW  thee  not,  O  moon, — thou  cavemed  realm, 

Sad  satellite,  a  giant  ash  of  death. 

Where  cold,  alternate,  and  the  sulphurous  breath 
Of  ravaging  volcanoes,  overwhelm 
All  chance  of  life  like  ours, — art  thou  not 

Some  fallow  world,  after  a  reaping  time 
Of  creatures'  judgment,  resting  in  tliy  lot  ? 
Or  haplier  must  I  take  thee  for  the  blot 

On  God's  fair  firmament,  the  iiome  of  crime, 
The  prison-house  of  sin,  where  damned  souls 

Feed  upon  punishment  ? — O  thought  sublime. 
That,  amid  Night's  black  deeds,  when  evil  prowis 

Through  the  broad  world,  then,  watching  sinners  wel: 

Glares  over  all  the  wakeful  eve  of — Hell ! 


THE    STARS. 

I. 
Far-flamrg  stars,  ye  sentinels  of  Space, 
Patient  and  silent  ministers  around 


264  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 

Your  Queen,  the  moon,  whose  melancholy  face 
Seems  ever  pale  with  pity  and  grief  profound 

For  sinful  Earth, — I,  a  poor  groveller  here, 
A  captive  eagle  chain'd  to  this  dull  ground, 

Look  up  and  love  your  light  in  hope  and  fear  : 
Hope,  that  among  your  myriad  host  is  one, 

A  kingdom  for  my  spirit,  a  bright  place 
Where  I  shall  reign  when  this  short  race  is  run, 
An  heir  of  joy,  and  glory's  mighty  son  ! 

Yet,  while  I  hope,  the  fear  will  freeze  my  brain — 

What  if  indeed  for  worthless  me  remain 
No  waiting  sceptre,  no  predestined  throne  ? 


THE   STARS. 

II. 
Hence,  doubts  of  darkness  !  I  am  not  mine  own. 

But  ransomed  by  tlie  King  of  that  bright  host : 

In  Him  my  just  humility  shall  boast. 
And  claim  through  Him  that  sceptre  and  that  throne. 
Yes,  world  of  light, — when  by  the  booming  sea 

At  eve  I  loiter  on  this  shingly  coast, 
In  seeming  idleness, — I  gaze  on  thee, 
(I  know  not  w'hich — but  one,)  fated  to  be 

My  glorious  heritage,  my  heavenly  home, 
A  temple  and  a  paradise  for  me, 

Wlience  my  celestial  form  at  will  may  roam 

To  other  worlds,  unthought  and  une.xplor'd, 
Whose  atmosphere  is  bliss  and  liberty. 

The  palaces  and  gardens  of  the  Lord ! 


FORGIVE   AND   FORGET. 

When  streams  of  unkindness,  as  bitter  as  gall, 
Bubble  up  from  the  heart  to  the  tongue, 


FORGIVE  AND  FORGET.  265 

And  Meekness  is  writhing  in  torment  and  thrall, 

By  the  hands  of  Ingratitude  wrung, — 
In  the  heat  of  uijustice,  unwept  and  unfair, 

While  the  anguish  is  festering  yet, 
None,  none  but  an  angel,  or  God,  can  declare 

"  I  now  can  forgive  and  forget." 

But,  if  the  bad  spirit  is  chased  from  the  heart, 

And  the  lips  are  in  penitence  steep'd. 
With  the  wrong  so  repented  the  wrath  will  depart. 

Though  scorn  on  injustice  were  heaped ; 
For  the  best  compensation  is  paid  for  all  ill, 

When  the  cheek  with  contrition  is  wet, 
And  every  one  feels  it  is  possible  sfill, 

At  once  to  forgive  and  forget. 

To  forget  ?    It  is  hard  for  a  man  with  a  mind, 

However  his  heart  may  forgive, 
To  blot  out  all  perils  and  dangers  behind, 

And  but  for  the  future  to  live  : 
Then  how  shall  it  be  ?  for  at  every  turn 

Recollection  the  spirit  will  fret, 
And  the  ashes  of  injury  smoulder  and  burn, 

Though  we  strive  to  forgive  and  forget. 

Oh,  hearken !  my  tongue  shall  the  riddle  unaeal, 

And  mind  shall  be  partner  with  heart, 
While  thee  to  thyself  I  bid  conscience  reveal, 

And  show  thee  how  evil  thou  art : 
Remember  thy  follies,  thy  sins,  and — thy  Crimea, 

How  vast  is  that  infinite  debt ! 
Yet  Mercy  hath  seven  by  seventy  times 

Been  swift  to  forgive  and  forget ! 

Brood  not  on  insults  or  injuries  old, 

For  thou  art  injurious  too, — 
Count  not  their  sum  till  tha  total  is  told, 

For  thou  art  unkind  and  untrue : 

12 


266  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 

And  if  all  thy  harms  are  forgotten,  forgiven, 

Now  mercy  with  justice  is  mot, 
Oh,  who  would. not  gladly  take  lessons  of  heaven, 

Nor  learn  to  forgive  and  forget  ? 

Yes,  yes ;  let  a  man,  when  his  enemy  weeps. 

Be  quick  to  receive  him,  a  friend  ; 
For  thus  on  his  head  in  kindness  he  heaps 

Hot  coals, — to  refine  and  amend ; 
And  hearts  that  are  Christian  more  eagerly  yearn, 

As  a  nurse  on  her  innocent  pet, 
Over  lips  that,  once  bitter,  to  penitence  turn, 

And  whisper.  Forgive  and  forget. 


"MY   MIND    TO    ME   A  KINGDOM   IS." 

Eureka  !  this  is  truth  sublime, 
Defying  change,  ontwrestling  time — 
Eureka  !  well  that  truth  is  told, 
Wisely  spake  the  bard  of  old — 
Eureka  !  there  is  peace  and  praise 
In  this  short  and  simple  phrase, 
A  sea  of  comforts,  wide  and  deep, 
Wherein  my  conscious  soul  to  steep, 
A  hoard  of  happy-making  wealth 
To  doat  on,  miserly,  by  stealth, 
Through  Time  my  reason's  ripest  fruit. 
For  all  eternity  its  root, 
Earth's  harvest,  and  the  seed  of  heaven. 
To  me,  to  me,  by  mercy  given  ! 

Yes,  eureka, — I  have  found  it, 
And  before  the  world  will  sound  it ; 
This  remains,  and  still  shall  stay 
When  life's  gauds  have  passed  away, 


MY  MIND'S  KINGDOM.  ^0fl 

This,  of  old  my  treasure-truth, 
The  bosom  joy  that  warm'd  my  youtli, 
My  happiness  in  manhood's  prime, 
My  triumph  down  the  stream  of  time, 
Till  death  sliall  lull  this  heart  in  age, 
And  deathless  glory  crown  my  page, 
My  grace-bom  truth  and  treasure  this, — 
"  My  mind  to  me  a  kingdom  is." 

Noble  solace,  true  and  strong. 
Great  reward  for  human  wrong, 
With  an  inward  blessing  still 
To  compensate  all  earthly  ill, 
To  recompense  for  adverse  fates, 
Woes,  or  wants,  or  scorns,  or  hates. 
To  cherish,  after  man's  neglect, 
Wlien  foes  deride,  and  friends  suspect. 
To  soothe  and  bless  the  spirit  bow'd 
Down  by  the  selfish  and  the  proud. 
To  lift  the  soul  above  this  scene 
Of  petty  troubles  trite  and  mean, 

0  there  is  mortal  might  in  this, — ■ 
"  My  mind  to  me  a  kingdom  is." 

Carve  it  deep,  with  letters  bold, 
In  the  imperishable  gold, 
Grave  it  on  some  primal  rock 
That  hath  stood  the  earthquake  shock, 
Make  that  word  a  citizen 
Dwelling  in  the  hearts  of  men, 
Sound  it  in  the  ears  of  age. 
Stamp  it  on  the  printed  page, 
Gladden  sympathizing  youth 
With  the  soft  music  of  this  truth, 
This  echoed  note  of  heavenly  bliss, 
"  My  mind  to  me  a  kingdom  is." 

Ay,  chide  or  scorn, — I  will  be  proud,— 

1  am  not  of  a  slavish  crowd ; 


S68  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 

No  serf  is  here  to  outward  things,— 
He  rules  with  chiefs  !  he  reigns  with  kings  I 
s  Tell  out  thy  secret  joys,  my  mind, 

Free  and  fearless  as  the  wind, 
And  pour  the  triumphs  of  the  soul 
In  words  that  like  a  river  roll, 
Foaming  on  with  vital  force 
From  their  ever-gushing  source, 
Fountains  of  truth,  that  overwhelm 
With  swollen  streams  this  royal  realm, 
And  in  Nilotic  richness  steep 
My  heart's  Thebaid,  rank  and  deep ! 

Or  bolder,  as  my  thoughts  inspire, 

Change  that  water  into  fire  ! 

From  the  vext  bowels  of  my  soul 

Lava  currents  roar  and  roll. 

Bursting  out  in  torrent  wide 

Through  my  crater's  ragged  side, 

Rushing  on  from  field  to  field. 

Till  all  with  boiling  stone  is  seal'd, 

And  my  hot  thoughts,  in  language  pent. 

Stand  their  own  granite  monument ! 

Yes !  all  the  elements  are  mine. 

To  crush,  create,  dissolve,  combine, — 

All  mine, — the  confidence  is  just, 

On  God  I  ground  my  high-born  trust 

To  stand,  when  pole  is  rent  from  pole, 

Calm  in  my  majesty  of  soul, 

Watching  the  throes  of  this  wreck'd  world, 

When  from  their  thrones  the  Alps  are  hurl'd. 

When  fire  consumes  earth,  sea,  and  air, 

To  stand,  unharm'd,  undaunted  there, 

And  grateful  still  to  boast  in  this, 

"  My  mind  to  me  a  kingdom  is." 

Brother  poet,  dead  so  long. 
Heed  these  echoes  to  thy  song, 
And  love  me  now,  where'er  thou  art, 
Yearning  with  magnetic  heart 


MY  MIND'S  KINGDOM.  269 

From  thy  throne  in  some  bright  sphere 

On  this  poor  brother  grovelUng  here  ; 

For  I,  too,  I  can  stoutly  sing 

I  am  eveiy  inch  a  king  ! 

A  king  of  Tliought,  a  Potentate 

Of  glorious  spiritual  state, 

A  king  of  Thought,  .a  king  of  Mind, 

Realms  umnapp'd  and  undefined, — 

A  king  !  beneath  no  man's  control, 

Invested  with  a  royal  soul, 

Crown'd  by  God's  imperial  hand 

Before  him  as  a  king  to  stand, 

And  by  His  wisdom  train'd  and  tauglit 

To  rule  my  realm  as  King  of  Thought. 

O  thoughts, — how  ill  my  fellow-men, 

0  thoughts, — how  scanty  my  poor  pen 
Can  guess  or  tell  the  myriad  host 
Wherewith  you  crowd  my  kingdom's  coast  I 
For  I  am  hemm'd  and  throng'd  about 
With  your  triumphant  rabble-rout, 
Hurried  along  by  that  mad  flood, 

The  joy-excited  multitud 
A  conqueror,  borne  upon  the  foam, 
Of  his  great  people's  gladness  home, 
A  monarch  in  his  grandest  state, 
On  whom  a  tliousand  thousand  wait  I 
Lo !  they  come — my  Tribes  of  Thought, 
Fierce  and  flush'd  and  fever-fraught ! 
From  the  horizon  all  around 

1  hear  with  pride  their  coming  sound ; 
See  !  their  banners  circling  near, — 
Glittering  groves  of  shield  and  spear, 
Flying  clouds  of  troopers  gay. 
Serried  lines  in  dark  array, 
Veterans  calm  with  temper'd  sword. 
And  a  dishevelled  frantic  horde, — 
On  they  come  with  furious  force, 
Tramping  foot  and  thundering  horse, 


970  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 

On  they  come,  converging  loud, 
With  clanging  arms,  a  glorious  crowd 
Shouting  impatient,  tierce  and  free, 
For  me,  their  Monarch,  yea,  fqr  me ! 

Then,  in  my  majesty  and  power, 

I  quell  the  madness  of  the  hour. 

Bid  that  tumultuous  turmoil  cease, 

And  frown  my  multitudes  to  peace. 

Each  to  his  peril  and  his  post ! 

All  hush'd  throughout  my  mighty  host : 

Courage  clear,  and  duty  stern, — 

Heads  that  freeze  and  hearts  that  bum ; 

Marshalled  straiglit  in  order  due, 

Legions !  pass  in  swift  review. 

Bending  to  my  blazoned  will. 

Loyal  to  that  standard  still, 

And  hailing  me  with  homage  then 

King  of  Thoughts — and  thus,  of  Men ! 

What  ?  am  I  powerless  to  control 

Nations,  by  my  single  soul  ? 

What  ?  have  I  not  made  thousands  thrill 

By  the  mere  impulse  of  my  will, 

When  the  strong  Thought  goes  forth,  and  binds 

Captive  a  wandering  herd  of  minds  ? 

And  is  not  this  to  reign  alone 

More  than  the  ermine  and  the  throne, 

The  jewelled  state,  the  gilded  rooms. 

The  mindless  man  in  borrowed  plumes  ? 

Yes, — if  the  inmate  soul  outweighs 

Its  dull  clay  house  in  power  and  praise : 

Yes, — if  Eternity  be  true. 

And  Time  both  false  and  fleeting  too. 

Then,  humbler  kings,  my  boast  be  this, 

"  My  mind  to  me  a  kingdom  is." 

And  what,  though  weak  and  slow  of  speech, 
111  to  comfort,  dull  to  teach  ? 


MY  MIND'S  KINGDOM.  271 

What,  though  hiding  from  the  ken 

Of  my  small  prying  fellow-msn, — 

titili  within  my  muting  mind, 

Wisdom's  secret  stores  I  find. 

And,  httle  noticed,  sweetly  feed 

On  hidden  manna,  meat  indeed, 

Blessed  thoughts  I  never  told 

Unconsidered,  uncontroll'd, 

Rushing  by  as  thick  and  fast 

As  autumn  leaves  upon  the  blast : 

Or  better,  like  the  gracious  rain 

Dropping  on  some  thirsty  plain. 

And  is  not  this  to  be  a  king, 

To  carry  in  my  heart  a  spring 

Of  ceaseless  pleasures,  deep  and  pure. 

Wealth  cannot  buy,  nor  power  procure  ? 

Yea, — by  the  poet's  artless  art, 

And  the  sweet  searchings  of  his  heart, 

By  his  unknown,  unheeded  bliss, 

"  My  mind  to  me  a  kingdom  is." 

Place  me  on  some  desert  sliore 

Foot  of  man  ne'er  wandered  o'er ; 

Lock  me  in  a  lonely  cell 

Beneath  some  prison  citadel ; 

Still,  here  or  there,  within  I  find 

My  quiet  kingdom  of  the  Mind ; 

Nay, — mid  the  tempest  fierce  and  dark. 

Float  me  on  peril's  frailest  bark, 

My  quenchless  soul  could  sit  and  think 

And  smile  at  danger's  dizziest  brink  : 

And  wherefore  ? — God,  my  God,  is  still 

King  of  kings  in  good  and  ill  ; 

And  where  He  dwelleth — every  where — 

Safety  suprem(*and  peace  are  there  ; 

And  where  he  reigneth — all  around — 

Wisdom,  and  love,  and  power  are  found  ; 

And  reconciled  to  Him  and  bliss, 

"  My  mind  to  me  a  kingdom  is." 


272  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 

Thus  for  my  days ;  each  waking  hour 
Grand  with  majesty  and  power, 
Every  minute  rich  in  treasure, 
Gems  of  peace,  and  pearls  of  pleasure. 
And  for  my  nights — those  wondrous  nights  ? 
How  manifold  my  Mind's  delights, 
When  the  young  truant,  gladly  caught 
In  its  own  labyrinths  of  thought, 
Finds  there  is  another  realm  to  range, 
The  dynasties  of  Chance  and  Change. 
O  dreams, — what  know  I  not  of  dreams  ? 
Their  name,  their  very  essence,  seems 
A  tender  light,  not  dark  nor  clear, 
A  sad  sweet  mystery  wild  and  dear, 
A  dull  soft  feeling  unexplained, 
A  lie  half  true,  a  truth  half  feigned  : 
O  dreams, — what  know  I  not  of  dreams  ? 
When  Reason,  with  inebriate  gleams, 
Looses  from  his  wise  control 
The  prancing  Fancies  of  the  soul. 
And  sober  Judgment,  slumbering  still. 
Sets  free  Caprice  to  guide  the  Will. 
Within  one  night  have  I  not  spent 
Years  of  adventurous  banishment. 
Strangely  groping  like  the  blind 
In  the  dark  caverns  of  my  mind  ? 
Have  I  not  dwelt,  from  eve  till  mom, 
Lifetimes  in  length  for  praise  or  scorn, 
With  fancied  joys,  ideal  woes. 
And  all  sensation's  warmest  glows, 
Wondrously  thus  expanding  Life 
Through  seeming  scenes  of  peace  or  strife, 
Until  I  verily  reign  sublime, 
A  great  creative  king  of  Time  ? 

And  there  are  people,  things,  and  places, 
Usual  themes,  familiar  faces, 
A  second  life,  that  looks  as  real 
As  this  dull  world's  own  unideal, 


.  MY  MIND'S  KINGDOM.  8731 

Another  life  of  dreams  by  night, 
That,  still  forgotten  wanes  in  light. 
Yet  seems  itself  to  wake  and  sleep, 
And  in  that  sleep  dreams  doubly  deep, 
While  those  same  dreams  may  dream  anon, 
Tangled  mazes  wandering  on  ! 
Yes,  I  have  often,  weak  and  worn. 
Feebly  waked  at  earliest  mom. 
As  a  shipwreck'd  sailor,  tost 
By  the  wild  waves  on  some  rough  coast, 
Of  perils  past  remembering  nought 
But  some  dim  cataracts  of  thought, 
And  only  roused  betimes  to  know 
That  yesterday  seems  years  ago  ! 
And  I  can  apprehend  full  well 
What  old  Pythagoras  could  tell 
Of  other  scenes,  and  other  climes. 
And  other  Selfs  in  other  times  ; 
For,  oft  my  consciousness  has  reel'd 
With  scores  of  "  Richards  in  the  field," 
As,  multifonn,  with  no  surprise, 
I  see  myself  in  other  guise, 
And  wonderless  walk  side  by  side 
Witli  mine  own  soul,  self-multiplied! 
If  it  be  royal  then  to  reign 
Over  an  infinite  domain, 
If  it  be  more  than  monarch  can 
To  lengthen  out  the  life  of  man, 
Yea,  if  a  godlike  thing  it  be 
To  revel  in  ubiquity. 
Is  there  but  empty  boast  in  this, 
"  My  mind  to  me  a  kingdom  is  ?" 
— Peace,  rash  fool ;  be  proud  no  more. 
Count  thy  faults  and  folljcs  o'er. 
Turn  aside,  and  note  within 
Thy  secret  charnel-house  of  Sin, 
Thy  bitter  heart,  thy  covetous  mind. 
Evil  thoughts,  and  words  unkind : 
12* 


274-  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 

Can  60  foul  and  mean  a  thing 
Reign  a  spiritual  King  ? 
Art  thou  not — yea  thou,  myself, 
In  hope  a  slave  to  pride  and  pelf  ? 
Art  thou  not, — yea,  thou,  my  mind, 
Weak  and  naked,  poor  and  blind  ? 
Yea,  b3  humble  ;  yea,  be  still ; 
Meekly  bow  that  rebel  Will ; 
Seek  not  selfishly  for  praise  ; 
Go  more  softly  all  thy  days  ; 
For  to  thee  belongs  no  power. 
Wretched  insect  of  an  hour, — 
And  if  God  in  bounteous  dole. 
Hath  grafted  life  upon  thy  soul. 
Know  thou,  there  is  out  of  Him 
Nor  liglit  in  mind,  nor  might  in  limb ; 
And,  but  for  On'e,  who  from  the  grave 
Of  sin  and  death  stood  forth  to  save, 
Thy  mind,  that  royal  mind  of  thine, 
So  great,  ambitious  and  divine. 
Would  but  a  root  of  anguish  be, 
A  madness  and  a  misery, 
•        A  bitter  fear,  a  hideous  care 
All  too  terrible  to  bear. 
Kingly, — but  king  of  pains  and  woes, 
The  sceptred  slave  to  throbs  and  throes ! 

Justly  then,  my  God,  to  thee, 
Sly  royal  soul  shall  bend  the  knee. 
My  royal  soul.  Thy  glorious  breath, 
By  Thee  set  free  from  guilt  and  death, 
Epfore  thy  Majesty  bows  down. 
Offering  the  homage  of  her  crowai, 
Well  pleased  to^  sing  in  better  bliss, 
"  My  God  to  me  a  kingdom  is." 


SONNET,  ON  A  BIRTH.  67Sf 


TARRING    CHURCH. 

Mother, — beneath  fair  Tarring's  heavenward  spire, 
Where  in  old  years  thy  youthful  vows  were  paid, 

When  God  had  granted  tiiee  iby  heart's  desire, 
And  she  went  forth  a  wife,  who  came  a  maid. 
With  mindful  steps  thus  wisely  have  we  stray'd, 

Full  of  deep  tliougjits  :  for  where  that  sacred  lire 
Of  Love  f^as  kindled,  in  the  self-same  spot. 
Thou,  with  the  dear  companion  of  tliy  lot, 

Thy  helpmate  all  those  years,  mine  honour'd  sire, 
To-day  have  found  fulfilled  before  your  eyes 

The  promise  of  old  time  ; — look  round  and  see 
Thy  children's  children  !  lo,  these  babes  arise. 

And  call  thee  blessed  :  Blessed  both  be  ye  ! 

And  in  your  blessing  bless  ye  these,  and  me. 


SONNET;    ON    A    BIRTH. 

At  length, — a  dreary  length  of  many  years, 

God's  favour  hath  shone  forth  !  and  blest  thee  well, 
O  handmaid  of  the  Lord,  for  all  thy  tears, 
For  all  thy  prayers,  and  hope,  and  faith — and  fears. 

With  that  best  treasure  of  consummate  joy 
A  childless  wife  alone  can  fully  tell 

How  sorely  long  withheld — her  first-born  boy  : 
This  blessing  is  from  heav'n  ;  to  hcav'n  once  more, 

Another  Hannah  with  her  Samuel, 

Render  thou  back  the  talent  yielding  ten, 

A  spirit,  trained  right  early  to  adore, 

A  heart  to  yearn  upon  its  tellow-mei^ 
A  being,  meant  and  made  for  endless  heaven, 
This  give  to  God  :  tills,  God  to  thee  hath  given. 


276  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 


DUTY 


Pearls  before  swine :  this  is  an  old  complaint ; 

In  very  humbleness,  and  not  in  pride, 
The  spirit  feels  it  true  ;  yet  makes  a  feint 

To  rest  with  man's  neglect  well  satisfied, 
And  have  its  wealth  of  words,  its  stores  of  thought 

Despised  or  unregarded  :  woe  betide 
The  heart  that  lives  on  praise  !  considering  nought 
Of  Duty's  royal  edicts,  that  #omm;md 

Thy  talents  to  be  lent,  thy  lamp  *  shine  : 
Soul,  be  not  faint ;  nor,  body,  stay  thy  hand  ; 

Heed  only  this, — not  whether  those  be  swine, 
But  whether  these  be  pearls,  precious  and  pure ; 
That  so,  whatever  fatb  the  world  make  thine, 
With  God  for  Judge,  thy  guerdon  be  secure. 


COUNSEL. 

rOK.     MUSIC. 

There  is  a  time  for  praising, 

And  a  better  time  for  pray'r, — 
The  heart  its  anthem  raising, 

Or  uttering  its  care  : 
One  minute  is  for  smiling. 

And  another  for  the  tear, — 
Hope,  by  turns,  beguiling, 

Or  her  haggard  brother,  Fear. 

But,  if  in  joy  thou  praisest 

The  generous  Hand  that  gave, — 
And  if  in  woe  thou  raisest 
The  prayer  that  He  may  save  ; 

Thy  griefs  shall  seem  all  pleasure. 
As  the^jhidings  of  a  Friend, 

And  thy  joys  ecstatic  measure 
A  beginning  without  end ! 


BYEGONES.  277 

HOME. 

F  0  K     MUSIC. 

I  NEVER  left  tlie  place  that  knew  me. 

And  may  never  know  me  jriore, 
Where  the  chords  of  kindness  drew  me, 

And  have  gladdened  me  of  yore, 
But  my  secret  soul  has  smarted 

With  a  feeUng  full  of  gloom 
For  the  days  that  are  departed, 

And  the  place  I  call'd  my  Home. 

I  am  not  of  those  who  wander 

UnafFectioned  here  and  there,  *, 

But  my  heart  must  still  be  fonder 

Of  my  sites  of  joy  or  care ; 
And  I  point  sad  memory's  finger 

(Though  my  faithless  foot  may  roam) 
Where  I've  most  been  made  to  linger 

In  the  place  I  call'd  my  Home. 


BYEGONES. 

FOR     MUSIC. 

"  Let  bycgones  be  byegones," — they  foolishly  say. 

And  bid  me  be  wise  and  forget  them ; 
But  old  recollections  are  active  to-day. 

And  I  can  do  nought  but  regret  them ; 
Though  the  present  be  pleasant,  all  joyous  and  gay. 

And  promising  well  for  the  morrow, 
I  love  to  look  back  on  tlie  years  past  away. 

Embalming  my  byegones  in  sorrow. 

If  the  morning  of  life  has  a  mantle  of  gray, 
Its  noon  will  be  blither  an4  brighter, 


278'  A  TTTOTTSAND  LINES. 

If  March  has  its  storm,  there  is  sunshine  in  May, 
And  light  out  of  darkness  is  lighter : 

Thus  tlie  present  is  pleasant,  a  cheerful  to-day, 
With  a  wiser,  a  soberer  gladness, 

Because  it  is  tinged  with  the  mellowing  ray 
Of  a  yesterday's  sunset  of  sadness. 


RULE,    BRITANNIA! 

A  STIRRING  SONG  FOR  PATRIOTS,  IN  THE  YEAR  1860. 

To  tlie  tune  of  "  Wlia  wouldna  fight  for  Charlie  J" 

Rise  !  ye  gallant  youth  of  Britain, 

Gather  to  your  country's  call. 
On  your  hearts  her  name  is  written, 

Rise  to  help  her,  one  and  all ! 
Cast  away  each  feud  and  faction, 

Brood  not  over  wrong  nor  ill,— 
Rouse  your  virtues  into  action, 

For  we  love  our  country  still,- — 
Hail,  Britannia!  hail,  Britannia! 

Raise  that  thrilling  shout  once  more  ; 
Rule,  Britannia  !    Rule,  Britannia  ! 

Conqueror  over  sea  and  shore ! 

France  is  coming,  full  of  bluster, 

Hot  to  wipe  away  her  stain. 
Therefore,  brothers,  here  we  muster 

Just  to  give  it  her  again  ! 
And  if  foemen,  blind  with  fury, 

Dare  to  cross  our  ocean-gulf. 
Wait  not  then  for  judge  nor  jury, — 

Shoot  them  as  you  would  a  vvoPf! 


RULE  BRITANNIA.  27»' 

For  Britannia,  just  Britannia, 

Claims  our  chorus  as  before  ; 
Rule,  Britannia !     Rule,  Britannia ! 

Conqueror  over  sea  and  shore. 

They  may  writhe,  for  we  have  galled  them 

With  our  guns  in  every  clime, — 
They  may  hate  us,  for  we  called  them 

Serfs  and  subjects  in  old  time  ! 
Boasting  Gaul,  we  calmly  sconi  you 

As  old  .lEsop's  bull  the  frogs  ; 
Come  and  welcome  !  for,  we  warn  you, 

We- shall  fling  you  to  our  dogs  ! 
For  Britannia,  our  Britannia, 

Thunders  with  a  lion's  roar ; 
Rule  Britannia  !     Rule,  Britannia  ! 

Conqueror  over  sea  and  shore. 

See,  uprear'd  our  holy  standard  ! 

Crowd  around  it,  gallant  hearts  ! 
What !  should  Britain's  fame  be  slandered 

As  by  fi:iult  on  oilt  parts  ? 
Let  the  rabid  Frenchman  threaten, 

Let  the  mad  invader  come, 
We  will  hunt  them  out  of  Britain, 

Or  can  die  for  hearth  and  home ! 
For  Britannia,  dear  Britannia, 

Wakes  our  chorus  evermore — 
Rule,  Britannia  !     Rule,  Britannia ! 

Conqueror  over  sea  and  shore. 

Rise  then,  patriots !  name  endearing. 

Flock  from  Scotland's  moors  and  dales, 
From  the  green,  glad  fields  of  Erin, 

From  the  mountain  homes  of  Wales, — 
Rise  !  for  sister  England  calls  you. 

Rise  !  our  common  weal  to  serve, 
Rise  !  while  now  the  song  enthnills  you, 

Thrilling  every  vein  and  nerve, 


S80  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 

Hail,  Britannia !  hail,  Britannia ! 

Conquer,  as  thou  didst  of  yore  ! 
Rule,  Britannia  !  Rule,  Britannia ! 

Over  every  sea  and  shore. 


THE    EMIGRANT    SHIP. 

FOR    MUSIC. 

Far  away,  far  away. 
The  emigrant  ship  must  sail  to-day : 

Cruel  ship, — to  look  so  gay 
Bearing  the  exiles  far  away. 

Sad  and  sore,  sad  and  sore. 
Many  a  fond  heart  bleeds  at  the  core, 

Cruel  dread, — to  meet  no  more, 
Bitter  sorrow,  sad  and  sore. 

Many  years,  many  years 
At  best  will  they  battle  with  perils  and  fears  ; 

Cruel  pilot, — for  he  steers 
The  exiles  away  for  many  years. 

Long  ago,  long  ago  ! 
For  the  days  that  are  gone  their  tears  shall  flow ; 

Cruel  hour, — to  tear  them  so 
From  all  they  cherished  long  ago. 

Fare  ye  well,  fare  ye  well  I 
To  joy  and  to  hope  it  sounds  as  a  knell : 

Cruel  tale  it  were  to  tell 
How  the  emigrant  sighs  farewell. 

Far  away,  far  away  ! 
Is  there  indeed  no  hope  to-day  ? 

Cruel  and  false  it  were  to  say 
There  are  no  pleasures  iar  away. 


THE  ASSURANCE  OF  HORACE.  281 

Far  away,  far  away  ! 
Every  night  and  every  day 

Kind  and  wise  it  were  to  pray, 
God  be  with  them  far  away  ! 


THE    ASSURANCE    OF    HORACE. 

1  HAVE  achieved  a  tower  of  fame 

More  durable  than  gold, 
And  loftier  than  the  royal  frame 

Of  Ppamids  of  old, — 
Which  none  inclemencies  of  clime, 

Nor  fiercest  w'inds  that  blow, 
Nor  endless  change,  nor  lapse  of  time, 

Shall  ever  overthrow ! 

I  cannot  perish  ntterly : 

The  brighter  part  of  me 
Must  live — and  live— and  never  die, 

But  baffle  Death's  decree  ! 
For  I  shall  always  grow,  and  spread 

My  new-blown  honors  still, 
Long  as  the  priest  and  vestal  tread 

The  Capitolian  hill. 

I  shall  be  sung,  where  thy  rough  waves, 

My  native  river,  foam, — 
And  where  old  Daunus  scantly  laves 

And  rules  his  rustic  home  ; 
As  chief  and  first  I  shall  be  sung, 

Though  lowly,  great  in  might 
To  tune  my  country's  heart  and  tongue. 

And  tune  them  both  aright. 

Thou  then,  my  soul,  assume  thy  state. 
And  take  tliine  honors  due  : 


A  THOUSAND  LINES. 

Be  proud,  as  tliy  deserts  are  great, — 
To  thine  own  praise  be  true  ! 

Thou  too,  celestial  Muse,  come  down, 
And  with  kind  haste  prepare 

The  laurel  for  a  Dslphic  crown 
To  weave  thy  poet's  hair. 


THE    ASSURANCE    OF    OVID. 

Now  have  I  done  my  work  ! — which  not  Jove's  ire 
Can  make  undone,  nor  sword,  nor  time,  nor  fire. 
Whene'er  that  day,  whose  only  powers  extend 
Against  this  body,  my  brief  life  shall  end, 
Still  in  my  better  portion  evermore 
Above  the  stars  undying  shall  I  soar  ! 
My  name  shall  never  die  :  but  through  all  time, 
Wherever  Rome  shall  reach  a  conquered  clime, 
There,  in  that  people's  tongue,  shall  this  my  page 
Be  read  and  glorified  from  age  to  age ; — 
Yea,  if  the  bodings  of  my  spirit  give 
True  note  of  inspiration,  I  shall  live  ! 


POST-LETTERS. 

Lottery  tickets  every  day, — 

And  ever  drawn  a  blank  ! 
Yet  none  the  less  we  pant  and  pray 

For  prizes  in  that  bank : 
Morn  by  mom,  and  week  by  week, 

They  cheat  us,  or  amuse, 
Whilst  on  we  fondly  hope,  and  seek 

Some  stirring  daily  news. 


POST-LETTERS.  283 

The  heedless  postman  on  his  path 

Is  scattering  joys  and  woes ; 
He  bears  the  seeds  of  life  and  death, 

And  drops  them  as  he  goes ! 
I  never  note  him  trudging  near 

Upon  his  common  track, 
But  all  my  heart  is  hope,  or  fear, 

With  visions  bright,  or  black  ! 

I  hope — what  hope  I  not  ? — vague  things 

Of  wondrous  possible  good  ; 
I  dread — as  vague  imaginings, 

A  very  viper's  brood  : 
Fame's  sunshine,  fortune's  golden  dews 

May  now  be  hovering  o'er, — 
Or  the  pale  shadow  of  ill  news 

Be  cowering  at  my  door  ! 

0  Mystery,  master-key  to  life, 
Thou  spring  of  every  hour, 

1  love  to  wrestle  in  thy  strife. 

And,  tempt  thy  perilous  power ; 
I  love  to  know  that  none  can  know 

What  this  day  may  bring  forth, 
What  bliss  for  me,  for  me  what  woe 

Is  travailing  in  birth  ! 

See,  on  my  neighbour's  threshold  stands 

Yon  careless  common  man. 
Bearing,  perchance,  in  those  coarse  hands, 

My  Being's  altered  plan ! 
My  germs  of  pleasure,  or  of  pain, 

Of  trouble,  or  of  peace. 
May  there  lie  thick  as  drops  of  rain 

Distilled  from  Gideon's  fleece  ! 

Who  knoweth  ?  may  not  loves  be  dead, — 

Or  those  we  loved  laid  low, — 
Who  knoweth  7  may  not  wealth  be  fled, 

And  all  the  world  my  foe  ? 


S84  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 

Or  who  can  tell  if  Fortune's  hour 
(Which  once  on  all  dotli  shine) 

Be  not  within  this  morning's  dower, 
A  prosperous  morn  of  mine  ? 

Ah,  cold  Reality  ! — in  spite 
•  Of  hopes,  and  endless  chance, 

That  bi't'er  postman,  ruthless  wight, 

Has  cheated  poor  Romance  ; 
No  letters  !  O  the  dreary  phrase : 

Another  day  forlorn  : — 
And  thus  I  wend  upon  my  ways 

To  watch  another  morn. 

Cease,  babbler  ! — ^let  those  doubtings  cease ! 

\Vliat !  should  a  son  of  heaven 
With  the  pure  manna  of  his  Peace 

Mix  up  his  faithless  leaven  ? 
Not  so  ! — for  in  the  hands  of  God, 

And  in  none  earthly  will, 
Abide  alike  my  staff,  and  rod, 

My  good,  and  seeming  ill. 


SOCIETY. 

Alas,  we  do  but  act ;  we  are  not  free ; 

The  presence  of  another  is  a  chain 

jMy  trammeled  spirit  strives  to  break,  in  vaui ; 
How  strangely  difterent  myself  from  me  ! 

Thoughtful  in  solitude,  serenely  blest, 
Crown'd  and  enthroned  in  mental  majesty, 
Equal  to  all  things  great,  and  daring  all, 

I  muse  of  mysteries,  and  am  at  rest ; 

But,  in  the  midst,  some  dull  intruded  guest 
Topples  me  from  my  heights,  holding  in  thrall 


TO  AN  INFANT.  285 

With  his  hard  eye  the  traitor  in  my  breast, 
That  before  humbler  intellects  is  cow'd, 
Silently  shrinking  from  the  common  crowd, 

And  only  with  the  highest  self-possest. 


ON    AN    INFANT.* 

Look  on  this  babe ;  and  let  thy  pride  take  heed, 
Thy  pride  of  manhood,  intellect,  or  fame. 

That  thou  despise  him  not :  for  he  indeed, 
And  such  as  he,  in  spirit  and  heart  the  same, 

Are  God's  own  children  in  that  kingdom  bright 
Where  purity  is  praise, — and  where  before 
The  Father's  throne,  triumphant  evermore, 

The  ministering  angels,  sons  of  light. 

Stand  unreproved  ;  because  they  offer  there^ 
Mix'd  with  the  Mediator's  hallowing  prayer 

The  innocence  of  babes  in  Christ  like  this : 
O  guarnian  Spirit,  bo  my  child  thy  care 

Lead  limi  to  God,  obedience  and  bliss, 

To  God,  O  fostering  cherub,  thine  and  his ! 


*  William  Knightgn  Tapp«r,  tht  Author'*  Moond  torn. 


-i86  A  THOUSAND  LINES. 


EPILOGUE. 

Are  there  no  sympathies,  no  loves  between  us  ? 

Is  my  hope  vain  ? — I  have  not  vext  thee  long, 
Nor  lent  thee  thoughts  from  God  and  good  that  wean  us, 

Nor  given  thee  words  that  warp  from  right  to  wrong : 

And  if,  at  times,  my  too  trinmphant  song 
Hath  seem'd  self-praise, — doth  it  indeed  demean  us 
That  when  a  man  feels  hotly  at  his  heart 

The  quick  spontaneous  fire  of  thoughts  and  words, 
He  will  not  play  the  hypocrite's  ill  part, 

Flinging  aside  the  meed  his  Mind  affords  ? 

No  !  with  all  gratitude  and  humbleness 
I  claim  mine  own ;  nor  can  affect  to  scorn 
A  gift,  of  my  Creator's  goodness  bom 

Which  is  ray  grace  and  glory  to  possess. 


.a 


PR. 

T5 

A7Z 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

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